Nigeria at war, Tinubu has no strategy to end it — Gbenga Hashim

In a stark assessment of the nation's security crisis, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the presidential candidate of the Accord party, has declared that Nigeria is effectively at war—a conflict he says President Bola Tinubu is leading without a coherent strategy to defeat terrorism and restore safety. The statement comes amid a surge in deadly attacks across Kaduna, Zamfara, and Plateau states, where terrorists continue to dictate the pace of violence, according to the former presidential hopeful.

The Escalating Security Crisis

Olawepo-Hashim condemned the latest wave of killings in northern Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna, Zamfara, and Plateau states, where gunmen have carried out mass abductions and deadly raids on communities. The attacks have left dozens dead and hundreds displaced, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. The Accord candidate argued that the government's response has been inadequate, with terrorists still controlling the tempo of operations. “They decide when and where to strike,” he said, highlighting the lack of a proactive defense mechanism.

Lack of a Coherent Strategy

At the heart of Hashim's criticism is the assertion that the Tinubu administration has failed to articulate a clear strategic framework for ending the insurgency. He noted that while the government has deployed military assets and announced security initiatives, there is no evidence of a unified plan to dismantle terrorist networks. “We are at war, yet the Commander-in-Chief appears to be operating without a battle plan,” Olawepo-Hashim stated. He pointed to the absence of a national security coordination center and the continued reliance on reactive measures as key shortcomings.

Call for a National Security Overhaul

To address the crisis, Olawepo-Hashim is urging a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's security architecture. He advocates for the establishment of a joint command structure that integrates the military, police, and intelligence agencies, along with community-based vigilante groups. He also called for increased funding for counter-terrorism operations and intelligence-sharing reforms. “The current approach is fragmented and ineffective. We need a fundamental restructuring of how we think about and execute national security,” he emphasized. The candidate warned that without such changes, the country risks further descent into chaos.

Implications for the Tinubu Administration

The criticism comes at a politically sensitive time, as President Tinubu faces mounting pressure over insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts suggest that the government's inability to curb violence could erode public trust and embolden opposition figures like Hashim. While the presidency has defended its record, pointing to recent operations that have freed abducted victims, the persistence of attacks suggests a long road ahead. Olawepo-Hashim's remarks underscore a growing consensus among political leaders that Nigeria's security crisis requires urgent, strategic action—not incremental fixes.

As the nation grapples with this challenge, the call for a national security overhaul resonates beyond party lines. Whether the government will heed that call or continue on its current path remains to be seen, but the stakes have never been higher for Africa's most populous country.