Presidential aspirant and prominent businessman, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has issued a stark challenge to the political and social elites of Northern Nigeria, urging them to accept responsibility for the region’s spiraling insecurity crisis.
In a statement released over the weekend, Olawepo-Hashim insisted that the continued bloodshed, kidnappings, and expansion of extremist groups are not accidental but are the direct result of decades of internal governance failures.
The Blame Game Must End
Olawepo-Hashim’s comments cut through the political rhetoric, placing the accountability for the North’s vulnerability squarely at the feet of its local leaders.
“That extremists are finding recruits in their thousands is not accidental. It is the product of deep poverty caused by decades of governance failure at state and local government levels,” he stated, arguing that while the Sahel crisis is a factor, poor local governance has significantly compounded the problem.
He drew a sharp contrast between the past and present, reflecting on the integrity-driven leadership of the First Republic figures like Sir Ahmadu Bello and Aminu Kano, noting, “Today, too many of our leaders live like oil sheikhs in the midst of mass poverty.”
Call for Decisive Action, Not Symbolism
While commending the appointment of General Christopher Musa as the Minister of Defence, Olawepo-Hashim stressed that the time for symbolism and political promises is over.
Nigerians and international observers are now demanding immediate, concrete results to halt the violence.
- Demand for Action: “This is not the season for symbolism. This is the season for action. Nigerians want to see immediate steps. This appointment must not become another publicity stunt. We want to see policies, programmes and results,” he warned.
- Focus on Local Policing: He urged the Executive and the National Assembly to fast-track legislation that would enable the establishment of state and local government policing structures, emphasizing that lasting security reform is impossible without a strong community-based framework.
The Path Forward
The core of Olawepo-Hashim’s message is a demand for a radical shift in approach—from political posturing to genuine, results-driven leadership.
He argued that confronting the security crisis requires Northern elites to first acknowledge and reverse the governance failures that have created fertile ground for radicalization.
Only through this admission and a commitment to honest, disciplined, and transparent leadership can the region begin to heal and regain its stability.
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