Dangiwa Umar writes Tinubu, decries insecurity, calls for decisive action

Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (retd.), has called on President Bola Tinubu to tackle Nigeria’s deepening security and socio-economic challenges, warning that the ideals that inspired the June 12 democratic struggle must not be allowed to fade.

In an open letter addressed to the President, Umar commended Tinubu for recognising military officers and civilians who played key roles in resisting the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, describing the gesture as a fitting tribute to those who risked their lives for democracy.

The retired military officer said it was appropriate for the nation to honour individuals who made sacrifices to reverse what he described as the injustice of the annulled election.

“I wish to offer my profound appreciation for your public recognition of the services rendered by some officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces whose names were read out during your Democracy Day Address on the 12th of June, 2026,” Umar wrote.

He added that it was “fit and proper that citizens who put their lives on the line in the struggle to redress the injustice of the annulment of the presidential election of June 12th, 1993 are publicly recognized.”

Umar also praised the President for extending recognition to civilian activists and other pro-democracy campaigners who contributed to the restoration of democratic governance.

According to him, June 12 remains a defining chapter in Nigeria’s political history and deserves continued celebration and reflection.

“It is hard to overstate this fact, Mr President, that June 12th is a watershed moment in our march to democracy and its annual celebration is richly deserved,” he stated.

However, while applauding the President’s recognition of democracy heroes, Umar expressed concern over the state of the nation, particularly insecurity, which he described as the most fundamental responsibility of government.

Referring to Tinubu’s Democracy Day remark that Nigeria’s democracy remains a work in progress, especially in the area of security, the former governor questioned whether the statement reflected humility or concern over the magnitude of the challenge.

“In the course of your address, Mr President, you acknowledged that the democracy we have today is still a work-in-progress, particularly as it relates to providing security for our citizens. Many people do not know what to make of this statement: were you displaying some humility or despairing of the task?” he asked.

Umar stressed that security was never considered negotiable by those who fought for the restoration of democracy, arguing that it formed the foundation upon which every other aspect of governance rests.

“What those officers envisaged when they put their lives on the line back in 1993 were, for want of a better word, ambitious. In fact, they took the security of our citizens as given; a raison d’être, a minimum condition for the existence of any government, democracy or not,” he said.

“If national security is missing, that would be the end of the discussion; nothing else matters. Nothing!”

Beyond security, the former military officer reminded the President that the June 12 struggle was also driven by aspirations for stronger democratic institutions, judicial independence and credible elections.

According to him, the heroes of the struggle envisioned a nation built on the principles of separation of powers, justice and accountability.

“They craved for a democracy that included its most basic features; separation of powers, independent and impartial judiciary that would dispense justice untainted by partisan or primitive considerations, a truly independent electoral umpire that guarantees free and fair elections, economic policies that safeguard citizens’ welfare as well as productivity,” he wrote.

Umar further urged the administration to intensify efforts to combat poverty and improve the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those at the lower end of the economic ladder.

He recalled Tinubu’s long-standing reputation as an advocate of equity, transparency and inclusion, saying many Nigerians had placed their hopes in his Renewed Hope agenda.

“They also pinned their hopes on a robust war against poverty, especially among the hapless masses at the bottom of the social pyramid,” he stated.

“As a long standing advocate of equity, equality, transparency and inclusion, many of us saw no reason to doubt your commitment towards a better future and a renewed hope for all Nigerians.”

The retired colonel concluded by urging the President to make the core values of the June 12 struggle the foundation of his administration’s policies, saying this would ensure that the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists and military officers were not in vain.

“So, in order that the sacrifices that those officers and other Nigerians made towards the achievement of the June 12th struggle do not go in vain, I advocate that those ideals become once again the cornerstone of your national policies,” Umar wrote.