Nigerian Lawmaker Praises Ex-NIA Boss’s Honorable Resignation Amid Insecurity Crisis

In a surprising move, Sulaiman Gumi, a federal lawmaker from Zamfara State, has commended Ahmed Abubakar, the recently resigned Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), for doing the “honourable” thing by stepping down.

Gumi, who represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, made this statement during an interview with PUNCH Online at the 2024 Humanitarian Award Night in Abuja on Saturday.

Abubakar resigned as NIA DG on Saturday, citing “personal and family issues.” However, Gumi suspects that the director general may have been overwhelmed by the lingering insecurity challenges facing the country.

“I think the issue of insecurity should be overwhelming for anyone. If the NIA DG resigned because of the overwhelming situation or his incapacity to handle the situation, I think he did the right thing. It is the honourable thing to do if that is the actual reason he resigned,” Gumi said.

The lawmaker also praised Abubakar for recognizing that he could no longer effectively tackle the security challenges, adding that it’s a rare quality in many public officeholders who often cling to power despite failing systems.

Gumi expressed concerns over the rising humanitarian crisis in the country, which has displaced many people across the nation. He emphasized the need for individuals to contribute to alleviating the suffering of those affected, rather than solely relying on the government.

“It is beyond just the government alone. Everyone needs to contribute to alleviating the suffering of the people. I also would like to see the FG put in place temporary humanitarian camps where people can stay within the timeframe of their displacement instead of them being left to stay in schools, shanties and other places that are inhabitable,” Gumi said.

Emmanuel Anabueze, the convener of the annual Humanitarian Award Night, shared similar sentiments, stating that governments at all levels must stop politicizing their policies, projects, and palliatives to effectively address the humanitarian crisis.

Gumi’s comments come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with an escalating security crisis, with many calling for more effective measures to tackle the situation. The resignation of Abubakar, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, has sparked questions about the government’s ability to address the growing insecurity concerns.