Dangiwa Umar urges Tinubu to tackle security, poverty, and judicial reforms

Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Dangiwa Umar, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu. He praised the President for honoring the heroes of the June 12 struggle but also reminded him of the promises yet to be fulfilled in Nigeria’s democracy.

In the letter, Mr Umar thanked the President for recognizing the military officers and civilians who risked their lives to challenge the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

But Mr Umar, a retired colonel, quickly shifted from praise to a serious critique of Nigeria's current situation. He urged the government to urgently address major issues like insecurity and poverty.

Below is the letter from the former governor

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT,
BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR.

DEAR MR PRESIDENT

Thank you for recognizing the sacrifices of the officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces during the June 12 struggle.

I appreciate your public acknowledgment of the officers whose names were mentioned in your Democracy Day Address on June 12, 2026. This topic was also part of my public statement on a similar occasion last year. It is important that we recognize those who risked their lives to fight against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

I also want to thank you for honoring other heroes in your address who made sacrifices to right the wrong of that election annulment. It is crucial to acknowledge that June 12th is a key moment in our journey towards democracy. Celebrating it every year is necessary. Still, since this is an annual event, I hope that other deserving individuals, military and civilian, will also be recognized in time.

During your address, you mentioned that our democracy is still a work-in-progress, especially regarding the security of our citizens. Many are unsure how to interpret this statement: is it humility or despair about the task ahead?

The officers who risked their lives in 1993 had big dreams for our democracy. They believed that national security should be a foundation for any government. If we lack security, then nothing else matters. Nothing!

Also, let me remind you of what motivated the officers back then. They wanted a democracy that had essential features. This includes the separation of powers, an independent judiciary that delivers justice without bias, and a fair electoral process that guarantees free and fair elections. They also wanted economic policies that protect citizens' welfare and productivity.

They hoped for a strong fight against poverty, especially for those at the bottom of society. Mr President, as someone who has long supported fairness and transparency, many of us believe in your commitment to a better future for all Nigerians as stated in chapter two of our Constitution.

So, to ensure that the sacrifices of those officers and other Nigerians during the June 12 struggle are not in vain, I urge you to make those ideals the foundation of your national policies.

We thank you, Mr President.
Please accept our deepest regards.
**Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd)