A prominent Northern elder and public affairs commentator, Alhaji Dabo Sambo, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging immediate action against the escalating insecurity and banditry in northern Nigeria or risk losing the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking to reporters, Sambo identified security as the nation's most pressing challenge, emphasizing that the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of any government.

"If President Tinubu refuses to wipe out the security challenges, he will definitely not win the 2027 election," Sambo cautioned, drawing parallels with former President Goodluck Jonathan's defeat in 2015, which he attributed to similar security failures.

Food Security Crisis Linked to Insecurity

The Northern elder highlighted how insecurity has severely impacted food production in Nigeria's agricultural heartland. "The North-West and North-East zones, which are responsible for cultivating more than 60% of food in Nigeria, are ravaged by banditry and kidnappings," Sambo explained.

He detailed how terrorism has forced farmers to abandon their fields, resulting in declining food output, price hikes, and widespread hunger. "Food is scarce in Nigeria and people are hungry," he stated bluntly.

Changing Political Landscape

Sambo emphasized that traditional campaign tactics would no longer sway voters facing existential threats. "The era of carton noodles and salt distribution during campaigns is over. People want security and food. Without these, they will not vote," he asserted.

The public affairs commentator also pointed to broader economic impacts of insecurity, including the depreciation of the Naira, rising transport costs, and inflation, which he said are "systematically draining the savings of common citizens."

According to Sambo, President Tinubu has a narrow window of opportunity to address these challenges. He advised that the administration must contain the security situation within six months and revitalize local farming within one year to avoid repeating Jonathan's electoral fate in 2015.