Former Governor of Sokoto State, a northwestern state in Nigeria, and former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has raised strong concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, describing it as deeply troubling and cautioning against attempts to politicise the crisis.
The former governor made the remarks on Saturday, December 20, 2025, while addressing journalists in Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria, against the backdrop of recent policy positions reportedly taken by the government of the United States of America, which classified Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
Okay News reports that Tambuwal described the designation by the United States government as “quite unfortunate,” arguing that it does not accurately reflect the complexity and reality of Nigeria’s security challenges.
“I would like to believe that President Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America, and the American government did not get the full grasp and appreciation of the Nigerian situation,” Tambuwal said.
“What we are facing is not a religious crisis but a security crisis affecting Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds,” he added.
Tambuwal aligned his position with that of the Vatican, the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church, noting that the Pope had previously acknowledged that Nigerians across religious divides are victims of widespread insecurity.
“These marauders do not represent any religion. How else can one explain what they are doing in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and other states? They are common criminals, after every soul that comes across them,” he said.
The former governor stressed that insecurity in Nigeria has evolved into a national emergency that cuts across politics, ethnicity, and religion, insisting that unity among leaders is critical.
“You can’t even go to the mosque; you can’t go to church safely. So this is not about a particular section of the country or a particular religion. It is about Nigeria,” Tambuwal stated.
He called on the United States of America and other international partners to reconsider their stance and instead offer constructive support to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s current President and head of government.
“It’s not about Bola Tinubu as a person. It’s not about the All Progressives Congress or party politics. It’s about our country,” he said.
“Any country—America, France, the United Kingdom, Canada—that can support Nigeria to overcome insecurity should please do so,” Tambuwal added.
Reflecting on his tenure as a state governor, Tambuwal recalled how Nigeria’s thirty-six state governors, cutting across political parties, once collectively supported the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen national security.
“At that time, about $1 billion was taken from consolidated revenue funds to acquire Tucano aircraft. It wasn’t about party politics,” he said.
However, Tambuwal alleged that the full operational use of the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft was hindered because the United States did not supply all required components.
“The Nigerian Air Force did not receive the full complement of the Tucano assets, which limited their deployment,” he noted.
Tambuwal urged Nigerian leaders at all levels to rise above partisan interests and work together to confront the insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods nationwide.
“As leaders, we must support the government locally and nationally. Everyone is affected. This is a Nigerian problem that requires Nigerian solutions, supported by our friends globally,” he said.
He also appealed to the media to maintain professionalism and responsibility in reporting security issues.
“I appeal to journalists to analyse issues objectively and draw the attention of governments to what Nigerians are facing. All of us, the media included, are involved in finding solutions,” he added.
