Terrorists Don’t Represent Any Religion, Says Tambuwal
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has said terrorists neither respect nor represent any religion, noting that they are merely seeking available targets to attack.
The former governor of Sokoto State described Nigeria’s security situation as “very concerning and alarming,” warning political leaders and the international community against politicising the country’s worsening insecurity.
Tambuwal made the remarks on Saturday while speaking with journalists in Sokoto, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s recent designation as a Country of Particular Concern by United States President Donald Trump.
He described the designation as “quite unfortunate,” arguing that it failed to reflect the true nature and complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
“I would like to believe that President Trump and the American government did not fully grasp or appreciate the Nigerian situation. What we are facing is not a religious crisis but a security crisis affecting Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds.
“These marauders do not represent any religion. How else can one explain what they are doing in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and other states? They are common criminals, attacking every soul they come across.
“You can’t even go to the mosque or the church safely. So this is not about a particular section of the country or a particular religion. It is about Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor aligned himself with the Vatican’s position on Nigeria, noting that the Pope had rightly acknowledged that Nigerians—Christians and Muslims alike—are victims of widespread insecurity.
Tambuwal stressed that insecurity has become a national problem that transcends politics, ethnicity and religion, insisting that collective action is urgently needed.
He called on the United States and other global partners to reconsider their stance and instead support the administration of President Bola Tinubu in addressing the crisis.
“It’s not about Bola Tinubu as a person. It’s not about APC or party politics. It’s about our country. Any country—America, France, the UK, Canada—that can support Nigeria to overcome insecurity should please do so,” the former governor added.
Drawing from his experience as a former governor, Tambuwal recalled how all 36 governors, regardless of party affiliation, once jointly supported the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to procure military assets to strengthen national security.
However, he alleged that Nigeria was unable to fully deploy the aircraft because the United States did not supply all the necessary components.
“At that time, about one billion dollars was taken from consolidated revenue funds to acquire Tucano aircraft. It wasn’t about party politics,” he said.
“The Nigerian Air Force did not receive the full complement of the Tucano assets, which limited their deployment,” Tambuwal noted.
He urged Nigerian leaders at all levels to rise above political differences and work together to confront the insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.
“As leaders, we must support the government locally and nationally. Everyone is affected. This is a Nigerian problem that requires Nigerian solutions, supported by our friends globally,” he said.
