Prominent Nigerian figures have issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu, stating that the nation's persistent insecurity now poses a direct threat to its survival as a sovereign state. The calls for urgent and decisive action came from former Ambassador Dr. Yemi Farounbi and the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke.
Terrorism: A Clear and Present Danger
Speaking at a lecture titled 'The Threat of Terrorism and the Crisis of National Survival in Nigeria' in Ibadan, veteran journalist and former diplomat, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, painted a grim picture. He argued that the crisis has evolved beyond a mere security challenge into an existential threat capable of "erasing Nigeria from the global political map" if not confronted head-on.
Farounbi emphasized that many citizens still fail to grasp the full scale and complexity of the problem. He highlighted the devastating impact on daily life: millions can no longer travel safely, farm their lands, or conduct daily activities without fear. Homes, businesses, and places of worship continue to fall victim to insurgent violence, crippling livelihoods and displacing communities nationwide.
He cautioned against oversimplifying the conflict as purely religious. While some groups misuse religion, he noted they represent only a fraction of the threat. These, he suggested, can be countered through education and engagement with credible religious leaders.
The Rise of Political Terrorism and a Call for Firmness
Farounbi identified the most dangerous challenge as "political terrorism" driven by groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). He traced their rise to regional instability, particularly the fallout from the collapse of Libya after Muammar Gaddafi's fall, which flooded West Africa with fighters, weapons, and extremist ideologies. He advocated for strategic international partnerships, stating they are a necessity, not a weakness.
Echoing the urgency, PFN President Bishop Francis Wale Oke, in a separate meeting with journalists in Ibadan, declared that insecurity has now surpassed corruption as Nigeria's most dangerous threat. He commended President Tinubu for showing "renewed momentum" and for cooperating with international partners like the United States under President Donald Trump to root out criminal elements.
Oke delivered a blunt message to the government: "Don't relent until Nigeria is fully secured. Spare no one. Allow no sacred cows. If you don't bring insecurity down, it will bring this country down." He dismissed any notion of negotiating with or rehabilitating terrorists and bandits, calling such ideas dangerous to national stability.
No Room for Repentant Terrorists, Says Christian Leader
The cleric was particularly stern on the concept of repentant insurgents. "There is nothing like repentant terrorists. Governance is not a church service," Oke declared. He argued that such individuals aim to infiltrate and weaken the system from within, and that their repentance is a matter between them and their God. The government's duty, he insisted, is to deliver justice and security.
Both leaders called for national unity in the face of violence. Oke stressed that no Nigerian should die needlessly, and anyone who inflicts pain on citizens must face the full force of the law, regardless of religious affiliation. The consensus from Ibadan is clear: the time for decisive, unwavering action against the forces of instability is now.
