Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said an NDC-led administration would be willing to engage all relevant stakeholders including terrorists and other criminal groups in a bid to end Nigeria’s protracted insecurity.
Kwankwaso made the remarks while outlining the opposition party’s proposed approach to tackling insecurity, stressing that dialogue would complement, rather than replace, military operations and other law enforcement measures.
According to the former Kano State governor, restoring peace across the country would require a comprehensive strategy that combines the use of force with negotiations where necessary.
“We’ll talk to everybody, including terrorists, to end insecurity,” Kwankwaso said, arguing that governments around the world have, in certain circumstances, engaged armed groups as part of broader peace-building efforts.
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He maintained that the primary objective of any engagement would be to save lives, secure communities and bring an end to years of violence that have affected many parts of Nigeria.
Kwankwaso said insecurity remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges, citing persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other armed groups across several states. He argued that a fresh approach is needed to complement existing security operations and address the root causes of violence.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate also reiterated that dialogue would not undermine the role of the military and security agencies but would form part of a broader strategy aimed at achieving lasting peace.
His comments come amid ongoing national debates over the effectiveness of military action alone in addressing insurgency and banditry. While successive administrations have occasionally explored negotiations with armed groups, such efforts have remained controversial, with critics arguing that they could legitimise criminal activities, while supporters contend that dialogue can help reduce violence and secure the release of victims.
Kwankwaso has repeatedly called for reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture, warning that despite significant investment in the sector, insecurity continues to threaten lives, livelihoods and economic development. He has urged the government to adopt more effective and coordinated measures to restore public safety across the country.
