In light of escalating security concerns in Benue State, Professor Leonard Karshima Shilgba—a key founding figure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to impose emergency rule in Benue state.
Prof. Shilgba gave the advise in an open letter titled “A Constitutional and Moral Rebuttal to the Call for Emergency Rule in Benue State.”
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Shilgba, a former Chairman, Governing Board of the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB), argues that despite the troubling security landscape, the situation does not justify the imposition of emergency powers under the Nigerian Constitution.
Citing provisions under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Shilgba contended that “the state government remains operational,” and emphasized that there is no evidence of a total collapse of governance or law and order that would necessitate such extraordinary measures.
Drawing comparisons with previous instances where emergency rule was invoked—such as Plateau State in 2004 and Ekiti State in 2006—Shilgba maintained that those states experienced a complete constitutional breakdown before the federal government intervened.
In his assessment, Benue has not experienced a similar deterioration. He also voiced apprehension over what he described as the increasing “politicization of insecurity,” cautioning that using emergency rule selectively would significantly undermine public trust in the federal government.
“States like Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, and Nasarawa have experienced similar or worse insecurity, yet there have been no such calls,” he said.
Further, Shilgba criticized some political elites within Benue, accusing them of exploiting the bloodshed for political leverage. He noted that many of those now advocating for federal intervention were conspicuously silent during earlier episodes of violence under different administrations.
Instead of an emergency declaration, he recommended institutional changes, such as the establishment of state police forces, legal recognition of local security groups, and the creation of State Security Trust Funds.
He also called for constitutional amendments to Sections 214–216 to better define the roles and powers of state governors as the Chief Security Officers in their respective jurisdictions.
Additionally, he proposed federal recognition of regional security outfits like Amotekun, Ebubeagu, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Shilgba stressed the need to engage in meaningful dialogue with community leaders and address the root causes of violence—particularly disputes over land, ethnicity, and economic disparity.
“The disjuncture between responsibility and authority in Nigeria’s security architecture is a constitutional defect. Benue’s tragic security history is a consequence of this defect,” he wrote.
He concluded by urging President Tinubu to adopt a pragmatic, reform-oriented strategy to improve national security.
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