Tinubu’s security emergency declaration merely academic – SDP’s Adebayo

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national security emergency and the directive for fresh army and police recruitment as an academic exercise that will not produce meaningful results.

Adebayo argued that past administrations had repeatedly declared security emergencies since 2008, when Boko Haram launched its insurgency, yet such declarations were never lifted nor effectively implemented. “Declaring another security emergency now is merely academic,” he said.

According to him, the president is focusing on the wrong issues. He insisted that Nigeria’s security problems are rooted not in manpower shortages but in weak command and control structures.

“The problem is not just the number of personnel; it is command and control. The president is the Commander-in-Chief, but he has not been an effective one. Recruitment should be part of a structured expansion process. You must deploy existing personnel properly and give them the tools they need to operate optimally,” he said.

He warned that mass recruitment will not address the immediate crisis.

“Announcing recruitment will not solve the battlefield challenges now; that is a long-term plan. What the president needs to do is pay closer attention to the armed forces, issue operational orders, and remain actively engaged in day-to-day security management. He must ensure the laws of the land are enforced, and Nigeria’s sovereignty upheld across the country,” he noted.

Adebayo emphasised the need for improved troop motivation and closer engagement with affected communities.

“As Commander-in-Chief, he must make himself accessible to the armed forces and motivate the troops. We are fighting an insurgency, and that requires deeper engagement with communities—more than terrorists or bandits can achieve,” he added.

He also urged consistent military funding and long-term planning.

“Budgeting for the military must be steady and targeted. Recruitment should have been systematic over time, with clear command and control structures,” he said.

Adebayo further accused the armed forces of being riddled with corruption.

“There is obvious corruption in military management, procurement, expenditure, promotions and other areas that affect morale and efficiency,” he alleged.

Speaking on the recent reshuffling of service chiefs and debates over state policing, Adebayo said the president appeared “jittery,” taking decisions he should have made in 2023.

“There was little consultation in the latest changes in military leadership. Officers doing the right things should be the ones who rise. That is key to morale,” he said.

“Many decisions taken in the last week are the same reforms I planned to implement from day one if I had won the presidency.”

He also highlighted the international dimension of terrorism.

“Terrorism is trans-border. You need international support. You must engage allies like the United States, Russia, and others with strong military capabilities,” he said.

Adebayo criticised the recent federal delegation to the United States, saying their engagement was reactive.

“If they had done this in 2023, we would not be dealing with President Trump’s public declarations to which they are now responding. The approach should be systematic, intentional, and well-organised. There should be proper diplomatic representation in all key world capitals,” he said.

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