President Tinubu Possesses "Abundant" Political Will to Protect Nigeria, Asserts Senator Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has dismissed public criticism attributing Nigeria's lingering security crises to weak presidential leadership, arguing that President Bola Tinubu does not lack the political determination required to eradicate criminality. The former Edo State Governor insisted that the current administration has consistently demonstrated its resolve by prioritizing national defense in federal budgets and implementing radical restructuring within the military command.

Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, made the remarks in Abuja during the formal public presentation of a book authored by Olusola Odumosu, the Federal Capital Territory Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Addressing a gathering of security stakeholders and political figures, the federal lawmaker strongly challenged arguments from critics who blame executive complacency for the persistence of banditry, mass abductions, and terrorism across the country. Oshiomhole asserted that the President's practical actions, financial mobilization, and executive directives serve as indisputable proof of his commitment.

“What is the difficult thing in political will? The Commander-in-Chief gives the order: go and ensure that the country is safe, as President Bola Tinubu has done repeatedly,” Oshiomhole noted during his address. “I am putting my mouth where I am putting resources, and he has provided more money, even supplementary budget at the National Assembly, approved. What more political will do you need?”

The lawmaker further highlighted that President Tinubu took decisive administrative risks early in his tenure by declaring a national state of emergency on security and replacing the country's former military and intelligence service chiefs. He noted that such overhauls carry significant political complexities that an uncommitted leader would typically avoid.

"The Commander-in-Chief decided to declare a state of emergency and even told the armed forces no more excuses," Oshiomhole said. "He even replaced the former security chiefs with these ones. To sack chiefs in a village, you know the challenges, not to talk of sacking security chiefs. There is no question that there is no political will... The President has it in abundance.”

While defending the presidency's resolve, Oshiomhole raised critical questions regarding the operational execution of these directives down the line of command, urging a closer look at how effectively presidential orders are implemented at the tactical level.

He called for total political bipartisanship across the country, advising opposition elements to realize that national security overrides party politics. “When it comes to security, there is one Nigeria. There is no APC, no PDP, or whatever. I’m not aware that anybody has been queried for apprehending a dangerous criminal,” he added.

Turning his attention to institutional frameworks, the Senator advocated for a comprehensive review of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps' foundational mandate and nomenclature. He argued that the word "civil" is fundamentally contradictory for a law enforcement agency expected to confront heavily armed tactical threats.

“The concept of ‘civil’ means do not bear firearms,” Oshiomhole observed. “So if the criminals you have to fight have sophisticated weapons, you who is fighting them, your weapon should not be less sophisticated. If you are civil, how do you deal with hardened criminals? When we talk of a civil society, it means you can talk, you can persuade.”

Oshiomhole concluded by underscoring that fixing the country's security architecture requires a unified front, warning that toxic institutional rivalries between military and paramilitary agencies will continue to undermine national defense strategies unless properly contained.