Buba Galadima retracts harsh criticism of Jonathan, slams current security failures

Buba Galadima retracts harsh criticism of Jonathan, slams current security failures

Member of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has openly acknowledged that his years of fierce criticism against former President Goodluck Jonathan were misplaced, stating that Nigeria’s current insecurity challenges have made Jonathan appear “a saint” in retrospect.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Monday, Galadima said he has been humbled by the country’s deteriorating security situation.
“I was one of the greatest critics of Jonathan’s presidency. I didn’t know God would disgrace me to show me that Jonathan was even a saint and a better administrator than those that followed him,” he said.

Galadima praised Jonathan’s controversial 2015 decision to postpone elections for six weeks to allow foreign mercenaries tackle insurgency. According to him, the mercenaries produced quick results:
“He postponed the election for six weeks, brought mercenaries, and within six weeks those mercenaries stabilised Nigeria. There was no polling booth where elections did not take place.”

He argued that engaging foreign mercenaries today would cost less than 10 percent of what Nigeria currently spends on military operations, insisting that Jonathan’s approach was more efficient than current strategies.

Turning his attention to the present administration, Galadima accused the government of abandoning its constitutional duty to protect citizens.
“For me, the government has abdicated its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties and has given 99 percent of its time to politicking,” he said.

READ ALSO:

• FG denies nationwide ban on open grazing, reaffirms gradual shift to ranching
• Nigeria’s FX market stable as naira trades around ₦1,452–₦1,468 across windows
• Armed bandits abduct eight residents in Kano’s Tsanyawa LGA amid rising rural insecurity

He warned that true governance requires sacrifice, not political manoeuvring.
“You shouldn’t have more than six hours for leisure. The remaining must be hands on the wheels. But that is what we are not seeing.”

Galadima accused the APC-led government of prioritising political defections and weakening opposition parties over tackling insecurity. He cautioned that undermining the opposition threatens democracy itself:
“It is not in their interest to destroy opposition because without opposition there is no democracy. And if there is no democracy, we are sliding to fascism — dictatorship of the Mussolini type.”

Commenting on the worsening security crisis, Galadima condemned what he described as outdated and unintelligent strategies. He urged authorities to adopt technology-driven security, intelligence-led operations and modern surveillance tools.

He narrated an encounter in China where CCTV and tracking systems helped recover his stolen bag across two airports within hours, contrasting it with Nigeria’s lack of seriousness.
“We are only interested in power to make money or to show you that I have arrived,” he lamented.

Galadima also faulted security agencies for ignoring intelligence prior to the Niger school abduction, claiming bandits’ movements were tracked yet no action was taken. He condemned soldiers who allegedly fled during the attack, saying they should face strict disciplinary action.

He criticised the growing trend of school closures in northern states, describing it as “shameful,” and insisted the government must secure educational environments rather than shut them down.

Warning that terrorists now possess advanced tools — including drones and real-time mapping — Galadima cited an ISWAP commander who claimed to have full imagery of the Sambisa Forest.

He further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to succumb to pressure from US President Donald Trump, advising him to rely only on honest and knowledgeable aides.

Despite his strong political views, Galadima said he remains “neither electable nor appointable,” noting that leadership requires long, exhausting hours which he cannot commit to.

SEO Keywords: Buba Galadima, Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria insecurity, foreign mercenaries, APC government, NNPP, Bola Tinubu, ISWAP, school abductions, national security crisis, farmer–herder conflict, Jonathan administration

Buba Galadima retracts harsh criticism of Jonathan, slams current security failures