A former chairmanship aspirant for Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Engr. Gbenga Akinwande, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt urgent and pragmatic measures to address the growing insecurity and economic hardship facing Nigerians.

In an open letter dated June 3, 2026, and addressed to the President through the Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Akinwande expressed concern that worsening security challenges and economic difficulties were fueling public dissatisfaction across the country.

According to him, the situation has generated resentment against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with many Nigerians allegedly considering voting against the party in the 2027 general elections.

Akinwande proposed the establishment of regional combatant command forces across the six geopolitical zones, comprising personnel drawn from the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilante groups.

He said the current security situation requires the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to adopt more urgent and practical measures to avert a major national crisis.

The APC chieftain suggested that each regional security command should be headed by a brigadier-general or an equivalent officer and largely staffed by personnel from the respective regions.

He also advocated enhanced whistleblower programmes, increased highway surveillance, deployment of local vigilantes and forest guards, as well as mass recruitment into the military, police and other security agencies.

“Rather than establishing state police, we should create more police stations, recruit more mobile policemen and forest guards, and provide adequate operational equipment to support their activities,” Akinwande stated.

He further called for improved welfare packages for security personnel, warning that it poses a security risk when officers personally fund uniforms, logistics and operational equipment.

Drawing parallels with Nigeria’s political history, Akinwande referenced late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s warning to former President Shehu Shagari during the economic downturn of the early 1980s.

“The insecurity situation in the country is beginning to propel many Nigerians to agitate for military intervention in governance. It is important that the President rises urgently to the occasion to prevent a repeat of the 1983 occurrence,” he warned.

On economic reforms, Akinwande proposed the appointment of six regional ministers to coordinate administrative and economic activities across the geopolitical zones.

He also advocated direct labour programmes through local governments to create jobs and stimulate economic activities at the grassroots level.

Addressing the rising cost of living, he urged the Federal Government to explore measures aimed at reducing the pump price of petrol to about N600 per litre.

“To reduce the present economic hardship in the country, it will be in the interest of our party and the integrity of the Yoruba race for the President to find a way to bring the pump price of petrol down to about N600 per litre,” he said.

Despite his concerns, Akinwande commended President Tinubu for implementing bold economic reforms and confronting challenges previous administrations allegedly avoided.

“Your Excellency has done credibly well for our nation through the audacity of your bold initiatives and reforms. However, the economic hardship is real and hurting. Families have been depleted, and these realities have created growing resentment and hatred for our party,” he added.

Copies of the letter were also sent to elder statesman Chief Olusegun Osoba and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.