Nigeria is still the only democracy in the Sahel, thus National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu has cautioned that the country must protect its democratic system with jealousy.
At a seminar on averting violence and conflict in northern Nigeria, which took place in Abuja on Thursday, Ribadu issued the warning. The Office of the National Security Advisor, the Kukah Center, and the National Peace Committee coordinated the event.
Nigeria is the last shining example of constitutional governance in the continent, according to Ribadu, given the military takeovers in nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad.
“We are going through difficult times, but this phase will pass,” he declared. All of the countries in our region—from the Sahel to East Africa and South Asia—face comparable or even longer-lasting difficulties. We must safeguard Nigeria’s accomplishment of being the sole functional democracy in the Sahel.
Ribadu pledged that the Nigerian government would act decisively against individuals endangering the country’s unity and peace.
“Let me be clear: the Nigerian state remains fully committed to law, order, and the protection of citizens,” he added.
“In keeping with our obligations to protect human rights and safeguard lives, anyone, individual or group, who exploits communities, spreads terror, or attempts to undermine national unity will face coordinated and decisive action.”
Nigeria has obtained 775 convictions related to terrorism, according to the NSA, highlighting advancements in counterterrorism operations through cooperation between security services, communities, and the judiciary.
Ribadu emphasized that the majority of security issues start locally and urged communities, religious authorities, traditional leaders, and subnational governments to be more involved in peacebuilding.
“The need for armed forces deployment decreases significantly when communities are empowered to resolve their own disputes and prevent violence,” he stated.
He called on discussions to be turned into actions that strengthen resilience and restore trust in northern Nigeria.
Kukah: Arms Offer False Security
Bishop Matthew Kukah, the National Peace Committee’s convener, had earlier emphasized that insecurity has an impact on every Nigerian, either directly or indirectly.
He described weapons as providing just a “false sense of security” and warned against the notion that arming communities will address the issue.
“There is a growing belief that communities can defend themselves by arming themselves,” Kukah stated. But weapons won’t make our issues go away. They provide a fictitious sense of security. And where will those weapons end up when there is peace again?
“It is not accidental that Jesus asked Peter to put back his sword,” Kukah continued, quoting scripture. While circumstances may change, the truth remains constant, as are God’s precepts.
He urged women and youth to be involved in designing peace initiatives and urged civil society to accept its vocation.
Hon. Dr. Philip “Okanga” Agbese, a transformative leader in Enone. Discover his achievements, community projects, and vision for 2027
