PDP chieftain blames federal control for security decline in Kwara

By Lawrence Agbo

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has attributed the worsening security situation in Kwara State to the centralised control of security architecture in Nigeria.

Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Olawepo-Hashim said insecurity has significantly deteriorated not only in Kwara but across several North Central states, including Niger and Kebbi.

“The security has obviously deteriorated and this is a problem not just for Kwara but most of the north central states, particularly those in the axis of Niger, Kwara, Kebbi,” he said.

According to him, the situation has been building over the past two to three years, warning that it reflects a broader regional trend.

“It is a very serious thing and it’s a trend that we have been speaking about for about two to three years,” he added.

He argued that state governors lack the authority and operational control needed to effectively address security challenges, noting that policing and security remain largely under federal jurisdiction.

“The governor does not have what it takes to handle the situation — not because he is not a good man — but because security is not in the hands of any governor in this country; it is still a federal affair,” he added.

Olawepo-Hashim’s remarks come amid growing concerns over rising insecurity in parts of the North Central region, with calls for restructuring Nigeria’s security framework to give states more control.