Delta Governor Oborevwori Urges Citizen Action Against Insecurity
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has issued a compelling call for citizens to take a more active role in confronting Nigeria's deepening security crisis, warning that government alone can no longer shoulder the burden of protecting lives and property. Speaking at the 2026 Maris Annual Public Service Lecture in Asaba, the governor described insecurity as an existential threat to national unity, insisting that collective vigilance and cooperation between citizens and security agencies are now indispensable.
Government Cannot Do It Alone
Represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu, Governor Oborevwori painted a grim picture of the country's persistent insurgency and violence. "Security is no longer the exclusive preserve of government," he stressed, emphasizing the urgent need for community-based policing and citizen intelligence as part of a broader security architecture. The governor highlighted his administration's ongoing investments in operational support for security agencies, but underscored that these efforts must be complemented by public participation.
Structural Critiques from Former Military Chief
The lecture, themed 'Insecurity: The Bane of Nigeria's Unity and Progress', brought together policymakers, scholars, and security experts, many of whom echoed concerns that Nigeria's crisis has outgrown conventional responses. In a keynote address, former Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Onyenuchea Irabor, delivered a more structural critique, describing insecurity as the single greatest threat to Nigeria's survival.
Irabor argued that the roots of the crisis lie far deeper than criminality, pointing instead to unresolved political grievances and historical divisions that have festered for decades. He called for the institutionalization of a national reconciliation policy, stressing that without deliberate efforts to heal longstanding wounds, security interventions would remain unsustainable. The former defence chief also referenced what he described as Nigeria's chronic governance failure, arguing that the problem is not a lack of ideas or strategies, but the absence of political will to implement and sustain meaningful reforms.
Scholars Push for Community-Based Strategies
Meanwhile, scholars and researchers under the African Peace-building and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) African University Seminar Series–Nigeria (AUSS-NG) have expressed worry that governance failures, inequitable resource distribution, and political and economic exclusion remain key drivers of conflict. They urged government at all levels to address these structural issues to achieve lasting peace.
The call formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of a four-day writing and publication workshop held at the University of Port Harcourt, Choba Campus, Rivers State. The workshop, organized by AUSS-NG and supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, brought together alumni of the former African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa programmes of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC).
In a communiqué issued at the end of the event, participants emphasized the need for:
- Strategic communication frameworks rooted in local realities to counter radicalization
- Promotion of peacebuilding efforts across the country
- Adoption of community-based strategies and inclusive governance
The scholars also warned against the over-reliance on government contracts as a tool for peace, stating that while such interventions may temporarily reduce violence, they often fail to address underlying grievances and may create parallel security structures. This comprehensive approach highlights the multifaceted nature of Nigeria's security challenges and the urgent need for collaborative solutions involving both government and citizens.
