By ALABI WILLIAMS

As if the realities of the hostile economy are not strenuous enough, insecurity has become an unrelenting plague, manifesting in bizarre and monstrous dimensions. Response by governors to distress in remote flanks is sluggish and most times, absent, because of the rush to partake in the deification at Aso Villa. Their major task is to enthrone President Tinubu for another term come 2027.

Some governors now operate from Abuja. Citizens are largely abandoned to fend for themselves, through divine assistance, and deploying ill-equipped vigilante efforts.

On January 2, 2026, two brothers, Ibrahim Tahir, a medical doctor and his younger brother, Abu Tahir, who just graduated from medical school, according to reports, were abducted. They were waylaid right in front of their residence around 7.30 p.m., as the younger brother made to open the gate, on City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, in Edo North. The terrorists took them away and demanded N200 million ransom to let them go.

As the family racked their brains on how to raise that sum, and also negotiating to bring down the ransom to N100 million, local vigilantes brought news that the younger brother had been killed. Abu Tahir’s body was discovered by the riverside on January 5.

There was outrage in the local community, and perhaps in few other places where humanity has not surrendered to survival politics. The police confirmed the abduction and claimed they did what they could in such circumstances that have become too familiar. Not much was heard from the state government and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who is said to represent Edo North.

Perhaps, they worked underground. But there was no report of a state functionary paying solidarity visit to the anguished family. The burden on that family is hard to disentangle. The distraught father kept vigil, in the hope that his two sons would come back alive. The elder son was released 18 days after N50 million was paid. The State failed Abu family, and others in Edo North, who keep experiencing similar agonies.

When citizens of Ekpoma, largely students of Ambrose Alli University, got angry enough to protest against similar insecurity in Edo Central, the authorities were swift to respond, claiming the protests were designed to hurt the state. The Edo State government said the protests were a “coordinated riot aimed at destabilising the state.”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from far away Abuja, decided that 52 of the protesters were involved in criminal activities. Reports alleged that some youths attacked livestock markets in Ekpoma, slaughtered goats and left the place in confusion. Also, the campaign billboards erected by Governor Monday Okpebholo, to promote President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 were vandalised. To the governor, that assault on campaign billboards was the coordinated affront.

The riots could have been avoided if the government had taken its responsibility to secure life and property seriously. Why is the governor mounting billboards when INEC has not ordered 2027 campaigns? Why is the governor diverting state resources to mount billboards on behalf of President Tinubu, funds that could have assisted vigilante activities to keep communities safe?

Well-meaning people should demand accountability from Governor Okpebholo, as his obsession for Tinubu and 2027 cannot be a replacement for citizens’ welfare and safety. He cannot drag everybody along that narrow partisan lane. Let him invest his salary on billboards and campaign vehicles, not the people’s FAAC allocation.

In Kano, that gruesome and horrifying killing of a mother, Fatima Abubakar and her six children in the Dorayi Charanchi area of Kano, on January 17, 2026, is the product of an absentee government. From reports, the prime suspect, Umar Auwal, was linked to the murder of his younger sister, whose eyes he plucked out. He was not arrested then. He confessed to carrying out a recent attack where two housewives were murdered and their home set ablaze.

He must be known to the neighbourhood securities, apparently one of the area boys devoted to murderous activities, but are left to flourish. It is from this camp politicians hire hitmen to cause harm during elections. They are everywhere, including working as road transport goons and friends of governments. The suspect’s father, Malam Auwal, has pleaded for expedited trial and swift punishment for his son. His fear is that delay could win him some political clemency. He must have spoken from experience.

But after the heinous crime, what do we get? Crocodile tears and condemnation from leaders who failed to protect citizens. Even President Tinubu, who had been away to Europe, offered condolences and commended the police for the swift arrest of the principal suspect. He ordered investigation and diligent prosecution.

Conversely, five Forest Guards were reported killed by suspected terrorists at the National Park, Oyo State.

There was no grief in the State House. It was not political enough, perhaps.

Meanwhile, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State had been very busy. While President Tinubu was away on New Year break, efforts by the governor to defect to the President’s party were put on hold. He literally abandoned governance to pursue that lifeline. He earnestly wanted to participate in the e-membership registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but he needed to hear from the leader, whether crossing to APC would guarantee him automatic ticket for 2027.

His former party, the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) is now leprous. His mentor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, appears stranded. Kabir Yusuf had laid siege to Aso Villa for days. He got a handshake with President Tinubu last week. Hopefully, he could now register as APC 0001 in the state.

But he’ll still be distracted and unable to fix the security gaps in Kano, which could widen by now. If he enrolls in APC and is unable to persuade Kwankwaso to follow him, that could divide the Kwankwasiya house. A lot of force would be needed to control the ensuing madness. Kano is notorious for political violence, which fuels other forms of violence. Let’s hope common sense prevails.

Even Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who is serving his second term and should have less worries for 2027, had to visit President Tinubu last week. After his last television chat, where he was praised for courage to speak out against the plot by APC to foist a one-party rule and his rebuke of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, for offering to destabilise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on behalf of President Tinubu, it was thought Makinde had boldly turned his back on Aso Villa. But as he conveyed, some state matters require bi-partisan cooperation and contributions from all political parties to resolve.

He said: “We may have issues in this country where you need a bi-partisan approach, where there won’t be an issue of APC talking alone or PDP talking alone. A situation where we will have to look at what is the best foot forward in the interest of our nation…”

Indeed, that assault by terrorists at the Oyo National Park is an affront on the nation. The Forest Guards are being advertised as the solution to ridding the forests of terrorists. Killing five Forest Guards is not an ordinary crime. It is a message to the country that the terrorists have gone ahead of government’s plans. It is a message to the Southwest, that the terrorists are here and the forests may not be safe. So, one imagines that is a major reason for the visit by Makinde, since the President was away when the incident happened.

But Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, has interpreted the visit and the reason for it. According to him, the President told Makinde to keep the meeting strictly official, devoid of television statements, which are meant for the public. Fayose claimed the President told Makinde he was not expecting support from him regarding 2027. But that Makinde should expect that he (Tinubu) will support his party, APC.

Given what we know of Southwest politics, that is like drawing the battleline. While there was a gentleman’s agreement between Tinubu and Makinde in 2023, which benefited each party, 2027 is going to be different. Federal power might be deployed to decide who has upper hand as Makinde insists on PDP.

There are signs that Abuja and the state government could be distracted as preparations for 2027 heighten. Governance and security matters could take back seats while the terrorists have a field day. Again, let common sense take charge.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, also visited the Villa, last week. He now has easier access since he defected to the ruling party. But the attacks on his people by terrorists have not ceased. So, what’s the obsession with the ruling party all about, survival of self or survival of the people of Plateau? Time will tell.

In Kaduna State, Venerable Edwin Achi was abducted with his wife and daughter, on October 28, 2025, from his Nasi village in Chikun Local Government. The man died in captivity. His wife and daughter spent 78 days with the kidnapers. They were released last week and Governor Uba Sani visited them at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, where mother and daughter are recuperating. Their ordeal is better imagined than lived. Not even the hug by the governor could extinguish the nightmare.

About 177 citizens of Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, were abducted during a church service on Sunday, January 18. The insanity of this latest affront is the fact that the police initially denied it took place. In rational systems, the Inspector General should have apologised and recommend the officers responsible for investigation.

It is sad, that these hapless and underserved communities in Kaduna State have not recovered from their decades-old nightmare in the hands of terrorists. When Governor Uba Sani assumed office, he attempted to restore the old order, when communities enjoyed autonomy irrespective of their religious and political experiences. That is the way to go. But the state government must stay focused.

Obsession with Abuja and 2027 is unhelpful. (The Guardian)