The president delivered the message on Sunday in Lokoja at the memorial of former Kogi State governor, Prince Abubakar Audu. Represented by the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, Tinubu stated that the government is fully mobilised to pursue and defeat the enemies of the state and reclaim peace for all Nigerians.
He acknowledged recent security setbacks but insisted that the protection of Nigerians remains a “sacred priority,” saying decisive steps have been taken to confront emerging threats. He noted that the state of emergency recently declared on national security signifies renewed commitment to expanding security manpower, modernising intelligence capacity, and advancing strategic reforms, including the establishment of state police.
Tinubu revealed that the emergency declaration represents “a declaration of war” against all forms of insecurity, with immediate efforts already under way to increase the capacity of the armed forces and security agencies in numbers, weaponry, and intelligence. He stressed that a community-rooted state police structure is essential for sustainable safety and would also boost grassroots employment.
The president added that the federal government is intensifying international diplomacy to correct misleading narratives that distort Nigeria’s religious harmony and history of peaceful coexistence.
Reflecting on the legacy of the late Prince Audu, Tinubu described him as a central figure in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. He said Audu’s leadership laid the governance foundation of Kogi State and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s democratic transition, noting that his political career was defined by service and institutional strengthening rather than personal ambition.
Tinubu further said his administration is committed to honouring Audu’s legacy through bold governance reforms, including the modernisation of Nigeria’s livestock framework aimed at converting historically contentious areas into engines of economic growth, food security, and stable relations between farmers and herders.
He added that the government is scaling up social investment programmes to support vulnerable Nigerians, nurture small and medium enterprises, and equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in the global economy.
