Sunday, December 21, 2025 - Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has said terrorists neither respect nor represent any religion, noting that they are merely seeking available targets to attack.
He said those perpetrating crimes across the country are
common criminals waging war against citizens of all faiths.
The former governor of Sokoto State described Nigeria’s
security situation as “very concerning and alarming,” warning political leaders
and the international community against politicising the country’s worsening
insecurity.
Tambuwal made the remarks on Saturday while speaking with
journalists in Sokoto, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s recent designation as
a Country of Particular Concern by United States President Donald Trump.
He described the designation as “quite unfortunate,” arguing
that it failed to reflect the true nature and complexity of Nigeria’s security
challenges.
“I would like to believe that President Trump and the
American government did not fully grasp or appreciate the Nigerian situation.
What we are facing is not a religious crisis but a security crisis affecting
Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds.
“These marauders do not represent any religion. How else can
one explain what they are doing in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and other
states? They are common criminals, attacking every soul they come across.
“You can’t even go to the mosque or the church safely. So
this is not about a particular section of the country or a particular religion.
It is about Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor aligned himself with the Vatican’s
position on Nigeria, noting that the Pope had rightly acknowledged that
Nigerians—Christians and Muslims alike—are victims of widespread insecurity.
Tambuwal stressed that insecurity has become a national
problem that transcends politics, ethnicity and religion, insisting that
collective action is urgently needed.
He called on the United States and other global partners to
reconsider their stance and instead support the administration of President
Bola Tinubu in addressing the crisis.
“It’s not about Bola Tinubu as a person. It’s not about APC
or party politics. It’s about our country. Any country—America, France, the UK,
Canada—that can support Nigeria to overcome insecurity should please do so,”
the former governor added.
Drawing from his experience as a former governor, Tambuwal
recalled how all 36 governors, regardless of party affiliation, once jointly
supported the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to procure
military assets to strengthen national security.
However, he alleged that Nigeria was unable to fully deploy
the aircraft because the United States did not supply all the necessary
components.
“At that time, about one billion dollars was taken from
consolidated revenue funds to acquire Tucano aircraft. It wasn’t about party
politics,” he said.
“The Nigerian Air Force did not receive the full complement
of the Tucano assets, which limited their deployment,” Tambuwal noted.
He urged Nigerian leaders at all levels to rise above
political differences and work together to confront the insecurity threatening
lives and livelihoods across the country.
“As leaders, we must support the government locally and
nationally. Everyone is affected. This is a Nigerian problem that requires
Nigerian solutions, supported by our friends globally,” he said.
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