Northern States Governors' Forum has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of state police, a move championed by the federal government. The Forum, comprising 19 Northern governors, has also acknowledged and commended the unified efforts of its member states in addressing security and developmental challenges in the region.
A closed-meeting of the Forum held in Abuja on Monday, where Chairman Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya expressed the governors' resolve to ramp up financial commitments to a regional security fund. The Forum's Chairman noted that modern security threats require localized, intelligence-driven responses.
In a communique, Governor Yahaya emphasized the Forum's commitment to supporting the federal government in countering evolving security threats. The Forum also appealed to Nigerians to support the President, armed forces, and security agencies in securing the country.
The Governors' Forum acknowledged the positive outcomes of its collaborative efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining and enhancing these actions. The Forum also resolved to support digitization initiatives and engage consultants to determine the region's taxable revenue.
Governor Yahaya commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership in creating a constitutional framework for state police reform. The Governor emphasized that kinetic military action alone would not solve the region's problems, pointing to the deeply intertwined web of socio-economic issues fueling unrest.
The meeting had in attendance several governors, including Prof. Babagana Zulum, Mai Mala Buni, Abdullahi Sule, Mohammed Umar Bago, Usman Ododo, and Kabir Yusuf.
The Northern States Governors' Forum's commitment to state police and regional security efforts is a significant step towards addressing the complex security challenges facing the region. By acknowledging the need for localized, intelligence-driven responses, the Forum is recognizing the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach to security. The Forum's resolve to invest in education and human capital development is a crucial acknowledgment of the deeply intertwined socio-economic issues driving unrest in the region. However, the Forum's reliance on consultants to determine taxable revenue raises questions about the effectiveness of its financial commitments. Ultimately, the Forum's actions will be judged by their ability to deliver lasting peace and security to the region and the country.
