Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has declared his readiness to face arrest for speaking out against what he describes as the rapidly deteriorating state of Nigeria.
Speaking in Kaduna on Saturday during the third memorial conference in honor of the late General Hassan Usman Katsina, Al-Mustapha painted a grim picture of the nation’s current socio-political and economic realities. He emphasized that both the country as a whole and Northern Nigeria, in particular, are grappling with severe, unprecedented crises.
A Region in Despair and Abandoned Legacies
Al-Mustapha accused contemporary northern leaders of betraying the foundational ideals of the region’s founding fathers. He noted that the declining quality of life and security has left the citizenry feeling hopeless.
“From every child on the street to the elites, we know that the state of Nigeria is in a sorry state. The state of the North is totally hopeless. Speaking the truth to the situation is meant for patriots,” Al-Mustapha remarked, urging stakeholders to confront the reality of the situation.
Northern Governors Slammed for Lack of Vision
The former security chief expressed deep disappointment over the low attendance of northern state governors at the memorial event. He argued that the conference’s theme, “From Sacrifice to Strategy,” should have served as a critical rallying point for the region’s leadership.
Directly criticizing the absent leaders, Al-Mustapha stated that many current political figures lack the necessary foresight and commitment to drive progress. “They don’t have the thinking, they don’t have the sacrifice, they don’t also have strategy for the country,” he said.
A Warning to the Presidency
Directing his observations to a representative of President Bola Tinubu at the event, Al-Mustapha warned that the governance framework of the nation has decayed significantly. He asserted that those steering the wheel of power are disconnected from the actual demands of leadership.
“The system is rotten; those who are in leadership positions don’t even understand what leadership is all about,” he declared. Concluding his remarks, Al-Mustapha reiterated that he remains undeterred by potential backlash or state detention, affirming that standing up for the nation is a duty he is willing to pay for.