President Bola Tinubu’s handling of insecurity has become the subject of another political debate after Senator Abdulaziz Yari defended the administration, arguing that the problem cannot be solved overnight. Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and director-general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the remarks during a visit to Kebbi State, where he met Governor Nasir Idris, traditional rulers and other political stakeholders. In defending Tinubu, Yari pointed to the difficulties former President Muhammadu Buhari faced in tackling insecurity despite his military background. His argument was that if a retired general could not completely eliminate the problem, expectations that Tinubu would resolve it immediately should be realistic. The comments have brought the familiar debate about security, leadership and government performance back into the spotlight. For Nigerians living in communities affected by violence, however, the issue is far more personal than political exchanges. Families want to feel safe, farmers need access to their land, and travellers want to move without fear.
While Yari’s remarks defend the administration against claims that it has failed to do enough, critics are likely to argue that citizens have every right to demand measurable improvements. The debate also highlights how security will remain a central issue as politicians position themselves ahead of the 2027 election. Ultimately, the public will judge the government not only by explanations of how difficult the challenge is, but also by whether people experience greater safety in their daily lives. As campaign conversations intensify, the question is whether the administration can demonstrate enough progress to convince sceptical voters.
