State governors poised to advice Buhari to replace security chiefs in bid to address security challenges

NIGERIA'S state governors are likely to pressurise President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the nation's security chiefs as he starts his second tenure in a bid to bring in fresh ideas as the country grapples with a surge in insecurity.

Over recent months, there has been a near collapse in security across several states in northern Nigeria as kidnappers, bandits and Fulani cattle herdsmen run riot. Armed with AK47 assault rifles, they have turned several local government areas into no-go zones, sometimes killing hundreds in daring and bloody attacks on whole villages.

In February, President Buhari was elected for a second four-year term which began on May 29 and as he seeks to start the tenure, appointments are expected over the next few weeks. Tomorrow, the National Economic Council (NEC), made up of Nigeria's 36 governors and presided over by the vice president, will meet in Abuja where it is expected to ask for a major overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.

Tomorrow's meeting will discuss the mounting security challenges that have seen kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism on the rise. Of late, there has been pressure on the president to rejig the military apparatus, allowing for the introduction of fresh ideas, which made lead to him retiring the current service chiefs.

Some of the service chiefs have indicated that they want to retire having been in office at the discretion of the president  after serving their mandatory 35 years in service. It is believed that the governors will now demand that this wish be respected and fresh blood be brought in to address the security concerns.

One government source said: “The NEC members are certainly uncomfortable with the security challenges in the country.  There are many options, including a federal government-state joint financing of security initiatives, an outstanding report on recommendations for state police, a major overhaul of the nation’s security architecture, more investment on intelligence, agitation for the shake-up of the military, an increase in manpower in the police, military and security agencies and the involvement of locals in security networks.

“We will certainly devote the whole day to weigh all options because insecurity is gradually taking a toll on the economy. It is within the purview of NEC to advise the president on issues which may impede the economy.”

Nigeria's constitution gives the NEC the power to advise the president concerning the economic affairs of the federation and in particular, on measures necessary for the coordination of economic programmes.  In spite of the NEC session, there were indications that President Buhari will soon effect a shake-up in the military to address the deteriorating security situation.