Sule Lamido, the ex-Governor of Jigawa State, has criticized the recent US visit by Northern governors. The governors had attended a peace summit hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
Lamido, in a social media post, expressed that the trip revealed the governors’ lack of understanding of the nation’s constitution.
Lamido emphasized that security falls under the purview of the federal government as it is part of the executive-legislative list. His statement, titled ‘Exporting our Disgrace and Humiliation Beyond Our Borders!’, highlighted that the Northern Governors, despite their good intentions, ended up showcasing their ignorance of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants them the legitimacy and authority to govern.
He argued that if the governors had visited the US to discuss ways to enhance agriculture or address health issues or any other local problems on the Concurrent List of the Constitution, it would have been more understandable. However, discussing security issues, which are on the Exclusive Legislative List, reflects poorly on their understanding.
Security, according to Lamido, is a broad subject that requires a comprehensive understanding. He pointed out that many urban towns in their states lack clean drinking water, and refuse dumps have taken over some streets, leading to potential security health risks. He also mentioned the poor state of education where children attend schools under trees or sit on the floor in classrooms, yet the governors fail to see the security implications of these issues.
Lamido criticized the governors for their lack of empathy and respect for human dignity, citing the example of a governor throwing money from an open Jeep while people scramble to pick it up. He stressed that they fail to see the security implications of such actions.
Lamido suggested that if the governors were serious about learning about security, they could have saved resources by seeking knowledge from local institutions such as NIPSS in Kuru Jos, ASCON in Badagry, or even NIA. These institutions, he believes, have more than enough resources on security issues in Nigeria than the distant American Institute.
