Inuwa Yahaya Leads Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers in Meeting over Insecurity

… Restates Support for State Police

Governors and traditional rulers from the 19 northern states have converged on the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna to deliberate on the worsening insecurity and deepening socio-economic challenges facing the region.

The high-level meeting, convened under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), is being chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON.

The NSGF Chairman, in his opening address, set the tone for the crucial meeting with a passionate and candid speech that laid bare the region’s most pressing challenges.

He stressed the need for collective wisdom and urgent action to arrest the spiraling security crisis and human development setbacks confronting northern Nigeria.

“Insecurity remains our most urgent concern,” the governor said, condemning the recent spate of killings in Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Yobe States.

He called for an immediate review of existing security strategies and improved synergy between federal, state, and local security institutions to restore peace and protect citizens.

Beyond the issue of security, Governor Inuwa Yahaya highlighted the alarming number of out-of-school children, growing poverty levels, and a fragile economic base as issues demanding swift, coordinated responses.

He emphasized the need to revamp critical regional assets such as the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and invest in youth empowerment, education, and vocational training to lift the region out of poverty and dependency.

The Governor also expressed concern over the neglect of key infrastructure projects in the North and advocated for alternative financing options, including public-private partnerships, to drive development.

He acknowledged the strategic role of traditional rulers in governance and peacebuilding, calling for a constitutional role for the traditional institution to enhance its effectiveness in resolving conflicts and maintaining social harmony.

“As leaders, we must rise above individual interests and deliver results that improve the lives of our people. The North is watching, and history will judge us by the impact we make, not just the resolutions we pass,” Governor Inuwa Yahaya charged his colleagues and royal fathers.

Deliberations are ongoing behind closed doors, with a communique expected at the end of the session.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE NORTHERN STATES GOVERNORS’ FORUM WITH THE CHAIRMEN OF THE NORTHERN STATES TRADITIONAL RULERS’ COUNCIL, HELD ON SATURDAY, 10TH MAY, 2025 AT THE SIR KASHIM IBRAHIM HOUSE, KADUNA

The Northern States Governors Forum convened a joint meeting with the Chairmen of the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council on Saturday, 10th May, 2025 at the Council Chamber of the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.

The meeting was attended by Their Excellencies, the Governors of all 19 Northern States and Their Royal Highnesses, the Chairmen of the 19 Northern States Traditional Rulers’ Councils.

Forum acknowledges the critical role of nonpartisan cooperation, collaboration, and peer review in effectively addressing the numerous developmental challenges confronting the northern region and the nation at large.

After exhaustive deliberations on matters of regional interest, particularly security, the Forum released the following communique:

1. The Forum commends Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his sustained commitment to addressing the security challenges and infrastructural deficits in Northern Nigeria.

2. The Forum resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors Forum to work out modalities of how to increase support to the Federal Security Agencies.

3. The Forum also resolved to strengthen peculiar local initiatives in combating all forms of security challenges.

4. The Forum also resolved to urgently set up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on our joint borders.

5. The Forum reiterated its support for the creation of State Police and called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take off.

6. Forum’s next meeting will hold on the 30th of August 2025.

Signed:
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON
Governor of Gombe State/ Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum