The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has called on Nigerians to hold state governors and local government chairmen accountable for kidnappings and other security failures occurring within their jurisdictions.
Speaking during an appearance on The Morayo Podcast Show on Wednesday, Bwala argued that responsibility for many kidnapping incidents rests primarily with state and local authorities rather than the Federal Government.
“Every kidnapping and abduction that takes place in any state of Nigeria, hold that governor responsible. All the kidnappings have taken place in local government,” he said.
Bwala cited the Federal Government’s Save the School Initiative, a programme through which states reportedly received funds to improve school security by installing perimeter fencing, early warning systems and other protective measures.
He challenged Nigerians to demand accountability from their state governments regarding the utilisation of the funds.
“There was this thing called the Save the School Initiative, in which monies were given to states to create perimeter fencing, early warning signs and all of those checks in schools. Ask your governor where that money went to,” he said.
The presidential aide also alleged that many local governments do not receive funds allocated directly to them, claiming that the resources could significantly improve grassroots development if released as intended.
Using Oyo State as an example, Bwala said some local government areas receive hundreds of millions of naira monthly, funds which, if properly utilised, could strengthen primary healthcare, education, local security outfits and social welfare programmes.
He encouraged Nigerians to become more actively involved in demanding accountability from elected officials instead of waiting solely for federal intervention.
“It’s only in Nigeria that citizens wait for manna to come from heaven. In all other countries of the world, citizens take their destinies in their hands,” he said.
Bwala explained that Nigeria’s constitutional structure limits the President’s authority over state governors, noting that the Federal Government cannot compel governors to act beyond constitutional provisions.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu remains committed to democratic principles and cannot interfere directly in state affairs except through persuasion and cooperation.
He urged citizens to organise town hall meetings, engage community leaders and work with the media to demand transparency from governors and local government chairmen over security and public finances.
Responding to questions about the prolonged captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State more than 50 days ago, Bwala said the Federal Government’s priority remains securing their safe release.
He cautioned against rescue operations that could endanger the lives of hostages.
“The number one responsibility of government in a hostage-taking situation is to rescue them and rescue them alive. If you use force carelessly, you may end up jeopardising the lives of the people that are kidnapped,” he said.