The Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Think Yoruba First (TYF), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to adopt a balanced approach that promotes collaboration with the United States amid growing security concerns and international reactions to Nigeria’s internal affairs.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ogbeni Oluwole Lewis, the group condemned the alleged failed coup attempt reportedly linked to some military officers of Northern origin.
Lewis cited recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had threatened military action against Nigeria over alleged genocide against Christians in Northern Nigeria. He criticized the Federal Government’s perceived weak response to such allegations, warning that foreign interference has long played a role in destabilizing Nigeria and the Sahel region.
> “We emphatically condemn the alleged coup attempt against a democratically elected President of Southwest extraction,” Lewis stated. “However, we must also urge the President and his cabinet to take a holistic approach to the multiple threats currently facing Nigeria.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s centralized security structure is outdated and unsustainable, calling for urgent decentralization to improve manpower, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to crises.
> “Decentralizing the security system has become essential. Sub-national governments must be empowered to protect their people instead of relying solely on federal forces,” he said. “History shows that overly centralized security systems make coups easier to attempt.”
Lewis emphasized that the creation of state police is long overdue and urged the Federal Government to fast-track constitutional and legislative reforms, including the amendment of the Firearms Act, to allow greater state-level control over security.
He further encouraged President Tinubu to strengthen ties with U.S. security agencies, especially in areas of intelligence sharing, training, and the acquisition of advanced equipment.
> “There is no cost too high when it comes to protecting lives. Nigeria needs all the help it can get, and pride should not stand in the way. The President must find a middle ground for effective collaboration,” Lewis added.
According to him, Nigeria’s recurring crises stem from a flawed unitary system, which fuels both feelings of marginalization and excessive competition for power at the center.
> “By devolving more powers to sub-national entities, the desperation for control at the center will diminish, paving the way for greater national harmony,” he said.
TYF therefore urged the Tinubu administration to tackle the root causes of Nigeria’s instability rather than merely responding to its effects.
> “To stand apart from your predecessors, Mr. President, you must go beyond managing the symptoms and cure the underlying disease. You must—and will—succeed,” the statement concluded.
