Nigeria governors back Tinubu, reject bandit talks

Throughout July 2026, governors across Nigeria continued to reject negotiations with bandits while rallying behind President Bola Tinubu’s security and development agenda. After earlier refusals by Zamfara, Kogi and the South‑East governors, Senate President Godswill Akpabio on 21 July highlighted the recent release of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State and praised Defence Minister Christopher Gwabin Musa for gains against banditry. Governors in the South‑East, led by Imo’s Hope Uzodimma, reiterated a unified endorsement of Tinubu’s 2027 re‑election bid, citing the South‑East Development Commission, rail rehabilitation and World‑Bank‑funded road‑drainage projects. Kogi Governor Usman Ododo echoed the president’s directive to refuse talks with criminals and welcomed federal infrastructure investments. President Tinubu approved a new army battalion in Kwara and expanded the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, creating four new formations and recruiting roughly 28,000 troops.

On 28 July, Tinubu met the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, urging clergy to condemn violence, support the return of mission schools to original owners and promote national unity. He announced a restructuring of the security architecture, affirmed the army expansion, and declared an economic recovery linked to reforms such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the end of ASUU strikes. The president condemned recent deadly attacks in Kaduna and Benue and called for community intelligence to bolster security operations. The combined statements reflect an ongoing political rally that ties strict anti‑negotiation policies with large‑scale security and development initiatives ahead of the 2027 election.