Adamu Pushes Political Will as Core Solution to North-Central Insecurity

Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, the former Inspector-General of Police, boldly declares his bid for the Nasarawa State governorship, asserting that the state’s protracted insecurity crisis demands political will and comprehensive solutions beyond military force. Adamu, a seasoned security expert, understands the intertwined nature of challenges across the North-Central region, stating that what ails Nasarawa State directly impacts neighbours like Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger. He positions himself as the leader ready to translate high-level policing experience into direct political action, tackling the root causes of instability.

Adamu insists that relying solely on force to achieve security is a fundamental mistake, unsustainable in the long run. He argues that political solutions must address the foundational issues of poverty, rampant unemployment, and social dislocation. When citizens lack legitimate avenues for livelihood, they inevitably turn to crime, exacerbating security threats. His vision involves creating robust economic opportunities, actively addressing grievances, and painstakingly building trust within communities. This comprehensive approach, he contends, significantly reduces pressure on conventional security agencies.

Nasarawa State grapples with persistent farmer-herder conflicts and widespread kidnapping, issues that resonate deeply across the North-Central. Adamu’s strategy begins with a profound understanding of these conflicts’ origins, recognising that resource competition and deep-seated mistrust often fuel clashes. His multi-layered approach prioritises job creation, especially for the youth, by harnessing the state’s potential in agriculture and mining. Crucially, he advocates for sustained dialogue and conflict resolution at the community level, ensuring farmers and herders agree on shared norms, and pledges to strengthen community policing, collaborating closely with traditional institutions who possess unparalleled local intelligence.

Adamu's Stance on State Police and Economic Drivers

On the contentious issue of state police, Adamu offers a pragmatic perspective. While the Constitution mandates a single police force, he points out that various forms of local policing, such as vigilante groups and neighbourhood watches, already operate. The real challenge, he maintains, is not whether to create state police, but how to effectively strengthen and regulate these existing structures, ensuring professionalism and robust oversight to prevent misuse by governors. Beyond security, Adamu’s agenda places significant emphasis on economic development. Nasarawa State, he observes, boasts immense untapped potential in agriculture and solid minerals. With strategic investments and well-crafted policies, he believes the state can unlock job opportunities, boost revenue, and elevate living standards for its citizens. His extensive consultations, which took him to all 147 wards, revealed firsthand the severe infrastructure deficit: unreliable electricity supply, deplorable rural roads hindering farmers, and water scarcity impacting public health.

Adamu is determined to transform Lafia from what he describes as a "glorified local government headquarters" into a modern city, complete with proper infrastructure and urban planning. For Mararaba and other densely populated areas, he proposes urban renewal, creating new planned settlements and upgrading existing ones, alongside developing alternative road networks to ease congestion. He also plans to develop satellite towns, strategically leveraging Nasarawa’s proximity to Abuja, an opportunity he argues previous administrations have failed to fully exploit.

Governance, Autonomy, and the Path Forward

Regarding zoning in Nasarawa politics, Adamu notes that the state has historically prioritised political dynamics over strict regional rotation. He firmly believes the governorship should be open to any competent individual, regardless of their origin within the state, arguing that restricting leadership based on zoning unfairly limits the pool of capable candidates. Responding to critics who label him a technocrat rather than a politician, Adamu asserts that politics encompasses more than just campaigning; his career as Inspector-General involved extensive negotiations, conflict resolution, and strategic decision-making – all fundamental elements of political engagement. He champions local government autonomy as fundamental for grassroots development, advocating for full implementation to ensure local governments access their resources and are held accountable, thereby bringing development closer to the people. On the question of probing predecessors, Adamu states that his focus remains on moving Nasarawa State forward, not on vendetta. While accountability is crucial, he stresses that established institutions exist to handle investigations, ensuring due process is followed.

Ultimately, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu asserts his appeal to Nasarawa voters rests on his unparalleled experience, clear vision, and deep understanding of the state’s challenges. He highlights his personal contributions to the state, from facilitating police recruitment and establishing a Mobile Training School to supporting schools, hospitals, and infrastructure development. He presents a detailed plan for tackling insecurity, creating jobs, upgrading infrastructure, and driving overall development, confident that his direct engagement with the people reflects a mandate for genuine service and tangible results.