The Northern Governors’ Forum and the traditional rulers’ council in the region have reiterated their support for the creation of state police, with a call on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off.
This was part of their resolutions at their joint meeting held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna State on Saturday.
In a communiqué read by the chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, at the end of the meeting, the northern governors resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to work out modalities of how to increase support to the federal security forces.
They also resolved to strengthen peculiar local initiatives in combating all forms of security challenges by setting up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on their joint borders.
While they acknowledged the critical role of nonpartisan cooperation, collaboration, and peer review in effectively addressing the numerous developmental challenges confronting the northern region and the nation at large, the governors commended President Bola Tinubu for his sustained commitment to addressing the security challenges and infrastructural deficits in northern Nigeria.
Speaking earlier in his opening remark, Governor Yahaya stressed the need for collective action to drive the region’s development and tackle insecurity, just as he condemned the recent attacks and killings in Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to review its security strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the federal, state, and local security architectures.
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According to the Northern Governors’ Forum, the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in the northeast and violent killings in the north-central regions were major concerns that require immediate attention.
“We must work together to address the security challenges facing our region. It’s imperative that we enhance our security measures to protect our citizens and ensure their safety,” he said.
He commended President Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s security while noting the need for more effective strategies.
Governor Yahaya also expressed concern over the state of infrastructure in northern Nigeria, citing neglected projects such as the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and the Kano-Maiduguri expressway.
The Kebbi governor advocated innovative financing options like public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds to bridge the infrastructure gap.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor and chief host of the meeting, Uba Sani, commended Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to addressing infrastructural deficits in the north.
Sani praised Tinubu’s initiative to complete the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway project.
“Mr President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the Northern people and took decisive action,” the governor said.
He noted that the road connected the Federal Capital Territory to 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East zones, serving as a vital link between the south and north.
The governor emphasised the need for a roadmap to address security, peace, governance, and development issues in northern Nigeria.
“We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results,” he stressed, urging the development of an implementation and funding strategy to drive progress.
While welcoming his colleagues and traditional rulers to the meeting, he commended the chairman of the Gombe governor and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for their leadership.
“We have made progress on many fronts. But challenges remain. I urge us to hasten the development of a roadmap to address issues of security, peace, governance, and development in northern Nigeria. Additionally, we must follow up on the roadmap with an implementation and funding strategy. We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results.
“I must not conclude this welcome address without commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to addressing the infrastructural deficits in northern Nigeria. One of Mr President’s key interventions in our region is the long-abandoned Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway. The road connects the Federal Capital Territory to about 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East Zones.
“It serves as a vital link for travellers moving between the southern and northern parts of Nigeria. Mr President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the northern people and took decisive action. We owe Mr President a debt of gratitude,” he said.