Presidential aspirant and global investment strategist, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has challenged Northern political and social elites to take responsibility for the worsening insecurity across the region, warning that Nigerians have lost patience with empty political assurances.
In a statement on Sunday, Hashim welcomed the appointment of General Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence, describing him as a committed officer whose emergence must translate into “real, measurable outcomes.”
Hashim said he followed Musa’s Senate screening closely and was impressed by what he called the nominee’s clarity, sincerity, and depth of commitment to national service.
“General Musa sounded like someone genuinely committed to Nigeria. I hope he receives the full executive backing necessary to succeed in this critical assignment,” he said.
‘This Is No Season for Symbolism’
The former presidential candidate stressed that Nigerians—alongside international security observers—are increasingly alarmed by the killings, kidnappings, and territorial advances of extremist groups in Northern Nigeria.
“This is not the season for symbolism but for action. Nigerians want immediate steps, not another publicity stunt. This appointment must produce policies, programmes and results,” he cautioned.
Hashim urged both the Executive and National Assembly to expedite legislation enabling state and local government policing, insisting that no meaningful reform is possible without strong local security structures.
Northern Governance Failures Fueling Extremism – Hashim
The business magnate said the North must confront the internal governance failures that have created fertile ground for extremist recruitment.
“Thousands joining extremist groups is no accident. It is the direct result of deep poverty caused by decades of governance failures at state and local government levels. The Sahel crisis worsened it, but weak local governance made it explode,” Hashim argued.
Calls for Leadership Renewal
Reflecting on the leadership values of the First Republic, he contrasted the era’s discipline and integrity with what he described as the lavish lifestyles of many present-day Northern leaders.
“In the days of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano, Joseph Tarka, and Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the North was safer and more united. Today, too many leaders live like oil sheikhs amid mass poverty,” he said.
Hashim concluded with a call for sweeping leadership renewal across the region.
“It is time for the North to replace leaders who feed ethnic and religious divisions while living in opulence as their people sink deeper into poverty.”
