(DDM) – Southern governors and traditional monarchs have publicly expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, endorsing his leadership and pledging cooperation on national security matters.
Diaspora Digital Media DDM gathered that the endorsement came during a high-profile meeting held in Ogun State, where regional leaders also unveiled a unified security strategy aimed at addressing rising crime, kidnapping, and banditry in southern Nigeria.
The summit brought together governors from key southern states alongside prominent traditional rulers, highlighting an unprecedented collaboration between political and cultural authorities.
During the meeting, participants acknowledged the federal government’s efforts while emphasizing the need for enhanced coordination between state, regional, and federal security apparatuses.
Speakers at the event stressed that southern Nigeria faces unique security challenges, including urban crime spikes, kidnapping for ransom, and escalating communal clashes in several states.
The unified security plan is intended to streamline intelligence-sharing, improve rapid response protocols, and strengthen community policing initiatives.
According to sources, governors agreed to deploy state resources more effectively and liaise closely with the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and other relevant agencies.
Monarchs at the meeting urged their subjects to support law enforcement efforts, warning against community complicity with criminal networks.
The southern coalition’s public backing for President Tinubu also serves as a vote of confidence amid growing political tensions and nationwide debates over the administration’s handling of insurgency and banditry.
Regional leaders highlighted previous challenges in tackling cross-border criminal operations and emphasized the importance of joint action with federal authorities.
Security analysts note that the strategy could serve as a model for other regions of Nigeria, particularly the north, where insurgency and kidnapping crises continue to escalate.
The meeting further underscored the role of traditional institutions in complementing state security mechanisms, especially in rural and semi-urban communities where government presence is limited.
Governors and monarchs jointly reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property, pledging regular reviews of the security plan’s effectiveness.
They also called for stronger federal support in intelligence-sharing, provision of equipment, and capacity-building for state security forces.
Observers say the collaboration may also help build public confidence in law enforcement and reduce communal tensions that criminal groups often exploit.
The event concluded with a symbolic signing of a declaration, affirming southern Nigeria’s collective determination to confront crime and strengthen regional stability.
Officials highlighted that while the strategy primarily targets southern states, its principles could eventually inform a national security framework aligning local, regional, and federal efforts.
The meeting has been widely circulated in media reports, with photographs showing governors and monarchs standing together in support of President Tinubu’s administration.
This show of solidarity signals a strengthened southern front in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insecurity and represents a clear political and security message to all stakeholders.