Senator Adams Oshiomhole has declared that President Bola Tinubu's administration is making significant progress in tackling Nigeria's security challenges, though he acknowledges the battle is far from over.
Security Improvements Since 2015
The former APC national chairman emphasized that the current security situation represents a marked improvement from the pre-2015 era when the country faced unprecedented threats. Oshiomhole specifically recalled the 2015 election postponement forced by Boko Haram's occupation of numerous territories in the northeast.
"I was in this country where we were forced to postpone national elections because Boko Haram had taken over and installed foreign flags in about 81 local government areas in the northeast," Oshiomhole stated during his appearance on Channels Television on November 24.
Judiciary's Lenient Sentences Draw Criticism
While acknowledging progress in terrorism convictions, the Edo North senator expressed serious concerns about judicial decisions that contradict anti-terrorism laws. He questioned why judges were sentencing convicted terrorists to prison terms instead of imposing the death penalty as stipulated by Nigerian law.
"The only worry I have as far as those convictions are concerned is that I do not know the power of the judges where the law says it shall be sentenced to death if found guilty of terrorist and the judge sentenced to 20 years," Oshiomhole remarked.
He emphasized that judges should interpret laws rather than rewrite them, noting that clemency powers belong exclusively to the President, not the judiciary.
Balanced Assessment of Security Situation
Oshiomhole maintained a balanced perspective, recognizing that security challenges persist while affirming the government's efforts. "Nobody is pretending that it's all over, but let no one deny that progress has been made," he stated, pointing to increased convictions and reduced terrorist territorial control as evidence of improvement.
The senator's comments come amid ongoing security operations across Nigeria, where various security agencies continue to combat terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities threatening national stability.
