OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
By Habibu Yusuf Sodangi
Founder, Consortium of Indigenous Tribes in Nigeria
Mr. President,
From the moment you assumed office, you made it clear that the security and safety of Nigerians would be at the heart of your administration. You promised to protect every citizen, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. Unfortunately, the present security architecture, under the control of the current service chiefs, has failed to deliver on that promise. The insecurity ravaging our nation is worsening, and this failure is directly tied to the leadership at the top of our security agencies.
The reality is that Nigeria’s enemies have been emboldened, not weakened. The bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists continue to strike at will. Our rural communities have been turned into killing fields, and thousands of our people live in constant fear. Despite the heavy investments in security equipment and personnel, the results remain shamefully inadequate.
A closer look reveals a disturbing pattern: most of the perpetrators of these heinous acts are Fulani, yet the top brass of our security agencies are themselves of Fulani origin or have deep personal and political ties to Fulani elites. This reality has created an unhealthy environment where personal, ethnic, and religious loyalties override national duty.
Mr. President, this closeness has made it extremely difficult for the service chiefs to take decisive action. When the criminals are from one’s own ethnic stock, there is a natural hesitation to apply full force. This is human nature, but it is also dangerous in a country where justice and equality must be blind to ethnicity.
It is this ethnic bias—whether deliberate or subconscious—that has allowed the insecurity crisis to linger. Instead of crushing these threats with all available means, we have seen negotiations, appeasement, and half-measures that embolden the criminals further. This approach has cost innocent Nigerians their lives and livelihoods.
We cannot ignore that some of the very people working day and night to undermine your presidency, to discredit your leadership, and even to plot your removal from office, are of Fulani background. While not all Fulani are guilty, the concentration of power in the hands of individuals with such close ties to the problem has created a dangerous imbalance.
Mr. President, no leader can succeed if his security team is compromised, biased, or unwilling to face the truth. Loyalty to Nigeria must come before loyalty to tribe, but this is not what we are witnessing.
Changing the service chiefs is not just a personnel adjustment—it is a strategic move to break the cycle of ethnic shielding and ensure that no group feels untouchable. By appointing security leaders from other indigenous tribes, you will give the fight against insecurity a fresh and determined direction.
Indigenous tribes that have suffered the brunt of these attacks understand the pain of losing their land, homes, and loved ones. They have no hesitation in confronting the perpetrators head-on. They will have both the moral drive and the emotional commitment to see this fight through to victory.
The Nigerian people are growing restless. Trust in the security system is collapsing. Villages are being abandoned, and farming communities are shrinking. If we cannot protect our people, then we cannot feed our nation or sustain peace.
We must also recognize that the current approach sends the wrong message internationally. Our allies, investors, and development partners see a security system that appears unwilling or unable to act decisively. This undermines our credibility and damages the image of your administration.
Replacing the service chiefs with competent, patriotic officers from other indigenous tribes will demonstrate your commitment to fairness and national unity. It will show that under your leadership, no group has a monopoly on power and no group is above the law.
This change will also boost morale within the armed forces. Many capable officers from other tribes feel sidelined and unappreciated. By giving them the opportunity to lead, you will unlock their full potential and bring fresh energy to the fight against insecurity.
The current security chiefs have had their time and have failed to produce the desired results. Loyalty to them must not override loyalty to the people of Nigeria. Leadership is about making tough decisions, and this is one of those moments.
The time to act is now. Every day of delay means more lives lost, more communities destroyed, and more damage to your presidency. Nigerians elected you to protect them, not to protect a few individuals in uniform who cannot deliver.
We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. Allowing the same leadership to continue, despite repeated failures, will only deepen the crisis. History will judge us harshly if we ignore the obvious signs.
Mr. President, you have already shown courage in taking bold economic and political steps. Now is the time to show the same courage in security matters. This decision will not be easy, and it will not be popular in certain quarters, but it is the right thing to do.
By diversifying the ethnic composition of our security leadership, you will send a powerful message that Nigeria belongs to all of us equally and that no group can hold the nation hostage.
Our diversity should be our strength, not our weakness. When all tribes feel represented in the fight against insecurity, they will unite behind you and give you their full support.
You owe it to the victims, to the displaced, to the farmers who can no longer tend their land, and to the children who have lost their parents, to act now. They are looking to you for leadership, justice, and protection.
If the service chiefs cannot or will not deliver victory, then they must make way for those who can. Anything less will be a betrayal of your oath of office.
The Nigerian people will rally behind you if they see that you are willing to make sacrifices to protect them. This is not about politics—it is about survival.
Let history remember you as the President who had the courage to confront insecurity head-on, without fear or favoritism. Let it be said that you stood for justice, for fairness, and for the unity of Nigeria.
Mr. President, the ball is in your court. The choice is yours. The nation waits for your decision.
Respectfully,
Habibu Yusuf Sodangi
Founder, Consortium of Indigenous Tribes in Nigeria
Dear Readers, Good and credible news reportage is tedious task and requires huge finances.
We are soliciting your Noble support for as low as N1,000 your support would go a long way in assisting us to continue to guarantee our readers quality news.
Bank transfers can be made to:
Account Name: Harvest and Commercial
Bank: Sterling Bank
Account Number: 0078627735