Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has cautioned that Nigeria’s security challenges will persist unless leaders integrate economic empowerment and inclusive governance with military force. Speaking during an interactive session with youth members of the African Democratic Congress Coalition, Amaechi emphasized that the underlying causes of insecurity are rooted in poverty and inequality, rather than religion or ethnicity.
He stated, “Any leader who wants to resolve the issue of insecurity in Nigeria will know that physical policing alone will not be the solution.” He highlighted that over-reliance on military might without tackling economic deprivation only exacerbates instability.
Amaechi recounted his administration’s approach to restoring peace in Rivers State, which included enhancing social and economic well-being through infrastructure development, such as building schools and healthcare centers. He noted that localizing contracts for these projects helped circulate money within communities, thereby creating jobs and reducing crime.
He concluded that true security comes from ensuring livelihoods and restoring citizens’ trust in governance, asserting, “You can’t police hunger. You build peace when people have work, dignity, and faith in government.”
