Renowned public affairs analyst, Dr. Mahadi Shehu, has strongly criticized the Nigerian government for spending billions on security and peacebuilding efforts without yielding meaningful results.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that he accused the government of contributing to the failure of security operations by ignoring the basic needs of security operatives, such as weapons and salaries. Dr. Mahadi urged governors in northern Nigeria to establish State Police and equip them with necessary arms, regardless of federal approval, citing southern states as examples of effective local security empowerment.
Dr. Mahadi further advocated for the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution, which he said currently restricts state-level security outfits from owning high-caliber weapons. He argued that such legal constraints weaken the fight against terrorism and armed criminality. “Even God changes a law if it becomes too difficult for people to follow for the sake of the public good,” he said, emphasizing the need for pragmatic governance that prioritizes national interest over bureaucracy.
Speaking on Nigeria’s sovereignty, Dr. Mahadi claimed that the country’s independence exists only on paper, as Nigerians continue to suffer under neocolonial structures. He pointed to the United Kingdom as a key enabler of corruption, serving as a safe haven for looted Nigerian funds. He criticized the exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources by foreign interests while corrupt leaders continue to enrich themselves and invest in luxury properties abroad.
Dr. Mahadi called for Nigeria to model its leadership system after countries like China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Germany, where integrity and accountability are central to governance. He said these nations screen their leaders rigorously and hold them accountable, sometimes even through public execution for corruption. In contrast, he lamented, Nigerian leaders with the worst corruption records are often celebrated and promoted.
On the wider issues of insecurity and corruption, Dr. Mahadi described the situation as a shared societal failure. He emphasized that government alone cannot solve the problem without the active support of the people, urging citizens to stop shielding criminals in their communities. He also decried the monetization of Nigeria’s political system, where politicians pay for support and seek profit after elections. He concluded by rejecting the idea of constitutional reform proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing instead that what Nigeria truly needs is a change in leadership character and ethical standards.