‘Commander-in-Chief’ – Sowore Vows To ‘Lead’ War Front If He Becomes President

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday said he would personally take charge of Nigeria’s security operations and overhaul the country’s security architecture if elected president.

Naija News reports that Sowore made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television while speaking on the worsening security situation and what he would do differently from the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.

The activist said he would fully embrace the constitutional responsibilities of the office, particularly as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“If I’m the president today, as I’ve always said, the part of the presidency that says you are the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces is something that I’d take very seriously, and that will push me to the war front,” he said.

He clarified that his involvement would not mean carrying weapons but taking direct leadership of security operations.

“There will be front and back of every operation in the country. I’m not saying I’m going to carry a gun, but I want to see my National Security Adviser every morning. I want to see all the army generals. I want to talk to them and motivate them,” Sowore added.

Sowore stressed that transparency and accountability would guide defence procurement under his leadership, noting that he would personally verify military equipment purchases.

“I want to ensure that the equipment that we say we have purchased, I want to see them physically. If I can’t see them physically, I want to see them virtually. I want to see that they are being put to use,” he said.

The AAC flagbearer in the previous elections also said competence and energy would be key criteria in appointing security chiefs, promising to avoid recycling retired officers.

“I want to make sure that all the security chiefs are competent. I would never use an IG of police that’s retired and tired who has nothing else to do. I look for younger, highly motivated, well trained people to start the process of taking the security of the country seriously,” he stated.

According to Sowore, a shift in leadership style and security philosophy would immediately influence criminal activities across the country.

“Even when criminals know that you have changed your security architecture, you have changed the mentality and the philosophy, and they are hearing from the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces in charge, because we don’t have anybody in charge of the Armed Forces as a Commander-In-Chief right now, you will see that things will start changing,” he said.

Insecurity Tied To Economy, Social Welfare

The activist emphasised that security challenges cannot be separated from Nigeria’s economic and social realities, calling for a comprehensive approach.

“In addition to that, and I must say this, is that this cannot be divorced from other insecurities. So, there has to be social security. You have to provide employment for young people. You have to make sure that our education system are active and absorbing young people,” he said.

Sowore also advocated increased investment in critical social sectors.

“You have to invest in sports, in health. You have to invest across board, in processes that can engage people, that can bring about life that is suitable for people, so that they can value even life in general,” he added.

Sowore further linked rising crime to poor living conditions and lack of opportunities.

“You cannot have a police, for instance, where every time we are just shooting ourselves, you don’t have employment and you expect this will end,” he said.

He listed the absence of functional factories, quality schools, accessible healthcare and safe roads as factors contributing to insecurity, stressing that “all of these cannot be divorced from the general insecurity in the country.”