To step up the battle against insecurity, the President last night said the time for state police has come.
According to him, all hands must be on deck to secure the country from bandits, terrorists and other forms of criminality.
“What I promised you will not be postponed. We will establish state police to combat insecurity. Start looking around you,” the President told governors after breaking the fast with them (known in Islam as Iftar) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
All the governors, through deliberations at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, had agreed on the need to establish state police to fight insecurity and address the many ungoverned spaces in the states, which terrorists and kidnappers are exploiting to plunge many Nigerians into fear.
However, modalities for the operations of state police and its relationship with the federal police and other security agencies are yet to be worked out.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the Federal Executive Council, about 20 governors and other dignitaries attended the dinner.
Other groups of Nigerians are expected to be invited to break the fast with the President during the Ramadan period, as has always been the tradition.
The President also urged governors to continue spreading development to the grassroots in order to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
He said: “I appeal again, let’s go further to embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all our supporters.
“Be all-encompassing and let’s spread development opportunities to the grassroots, the local governments.”
Describing the coincidence of the Muslim Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season as significant, the President said: “The period symbolises discipline, sacrifice, faith, resilience and strong determination for us to continue to brace together, pray together and love one another.
“It is a joy and a great honour to be with you again this year. We give thanks to Almighty God for sparing our lives and keeping us together to see another Ramadan, a great Ramadan that coincides with that of the Christian faith.”
Tinubu acknowledged the governors for their commitment to duty and progress in their states, noting that the reward for hard work was more work.
“I’ve seen a lot of progress being made in the states. I can’t commend you enough. The reward of hard work is more work,” he said.
The President singled out Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, whom he fondly referred to as “my son, the farmer from Niger.”
He also commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for his Ramadan outreach to both Christians and Muslims.
“I must refer to the generosity of Professor Zulum. I saw the layout of those Ramadan outreaches, both for Christians and Muslims; that is in very good spirit,” the President said in a light-hearted remark.
Addressing internal political tensions, Tinubu advised members of his party to show tolerance during the ongoing congresses.
“I will advise those who are in the same party with me to please bear in mind that those little ones, too, do cry. Tolerate everybody.
“Build the structure in this period of faith, unity, harmony and sacrifice that you are preaching. Do it. Let the young ones breathe,” he counselled.
Acknowledging that criticisms and commendations would continue to trail governance, the President urged unity of purpose.
He said: “There are a lot of complaints and commendations coming from all angles.
“They will come at me too, but as long as we brace together, move together and determine to rescue this country, the best is yet to come for Nigeria.
“We’re out of the woods. We’re out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty. The economy is picking up. Let’s help those who are unemployed.”
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said: “It is once in a while that you see a coincidence of Christian fasting and Muslim fasting at the same time.
“This is special, and what it teaches us is that religious and ethnic issues should not divide us.
“We need to be more united as a country to develop our nation.”
Uzodimma praised the President for fostering what he described as unprecedented political stability.
He said: “Mr President, you have brought into governance a new atmosphere.
“I have been around for some time, playing politics, and never in the history of this country have we had the opportunity of removing political tension from our political environment.”
Highlighting collaborative progress, the governor added: “You have forged national partnerships in progress with governors. There are also challenges with governors.
“This period of fasting is a holy period in which God enjoins us to support the less privileged. In your wisdom, you invited us to come and eat together.”
He pledged continued partnership with the President, saying: “My brother governors will continue to partner with you.
“We appreciate the reform policies you have introduced for state governments, the support and interventions, the ingenuity you have brought to bear, and the new tax reforms you have initiated.”
Uzodimma prayed: “We ask Almighty God to grant you strength, good health and greater wisdom in navigating the affairs of this country.
“We continue to pledge our loyalty to the glory of Almighty God.”
Speaking with State House reporters after the event, Uzodimma said the gathering underscored unity and partnership between the President and the governors.
“The President invited us to break the fast with him. It is an interfaith gathering. Christians are here, Muslims are also here.
“We came to eat with our leader and thank him for the good work he is doing,” he said.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members attended the dinner.
Governors present included Alex Otti (Abia), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto) and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta).
The rest were Mohammed Bago (Niger), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Hyacinth Alia (Benue).
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