Tinubu govt part of ‘criminal gang’ — Kenneth Okonkwo alleges

Legal practitioner and political commentator, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of complicity in worsening insecurity across the country.

 

Okonkwo made the allegation on Wednesday during a live appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, where he spoke on the growing calls for the establishment of state police.

 

According to him, the Federal Government has continued to politicise critical security issues instead of addressing them decisively.

 

“The government is now part of the criminal gang that is buying and selling Nigerians,” he said.

 

He further criticised the administration’s handling of insecurity, describing it as ineffective and inadequate.

 

“The only thing this government knows how to do is to politicise everything, including security. That’s why it is spreading all over the nation,” Okonkwo added.

 

The former presidential campaign spokesperson argued that Nigeria currently has insufficient security personnel, coupled with vast ungoverned spaces, which he said have worsened the security situation.

 

He also linked rising insecurity to economic hardship, noting that increasing poverty and hunger have made more Nigerians vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups.

 

“Hunger and hardship are increasing, and people are easily recruited. Criminality is not being punished,” he said.

 

Okonkwo further alleged that the government’s approach to negotiating with kidnappers without visible consequences emboldens criminal activities.

 

The remarks come amid ongoing national debate over security reforms, including calls for the creation of state police to address localised threats more effectively.