*Says Security Must Also Be Made Priority
*Calls For Inclusion Of South-East In Allocation Of Ranking Positions In Government
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
In an interview with Sunday Sun, Prof. Itse Sagay, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), shared his thoughts on President Buhari’s legacy and discussed the priority areas that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should address. He also touched on the neglect of the Southeast zone in key appointments made by Tinubu.
With respect to security and restructuring, Prof. Sagay emphasized that security should be the top priority for President Tinubu’s administration. He stressed the need for the nation to be adequately secured. Additionally, he called for the restructuring of the federation, giving more independence to the states, similar to the 1963 constitution. He mentioned that aspects of restructuring should include making local government a state matter and addressing the issue of petrol subsidy.
He said, “I think the first area is security. It is key. We need to be adequately secured. The second one is restructuring, that is to restructure the federation in a way that the states will be more independent the way they were in the 1963 constitution. There are so many aspects of restructuring; for example, local government should be a state matter, a state can create the number of local governments it wants and fund them. It is not for the Federal Government to fund local government for states. The local government belongs to the state not to the Federal Government.”
Prof. Sagay also expressed his expectations for improvements in the economy under the new government. He emphasized the importance of encouraging small and medium-scale enterprises, as they contribute significantly to the country’s wealth.
Responding to criticisms about the timing of President Tinubu’s inauguration before the Presidential Election Tribunal’s judgment, Prof. Sagay stated that this practice had been in place since 1999. He cited previous instances where presidents were sworn in despite ongoing legal challenges. He deemed the arguments against the inauguration as specific targets rather than a principled stance.
“President Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in when there were various cases against him. It was the same with President Yar’Adua, people like Atiku challenging it, Buhari filing cases, but he was still sworn in. It was the same thing with President Jonathan and the same thing with Buhari. So, I don’t really understand the frenzy that has suddenly overtaken some people who are now saying it is against the constitution in order to satisfy their agent or whatever, I don’t really understand. It is so extremely unreasonable and disappointing that we will be ready to break the law just to achieve a personal hatred or grudge against a particular person when we are talking of a whole nation. So, it’s wrong and I think it should be neglected and ignored. The advocates of such an agenda must know that what they are championing is wrong and condemnable.”
CRegarding the state of insecurity in the country, Prof. Sagay suggested that changing the security chiefs might not be the ultimate solution. Instead, he proposed empowering communities through the state governments to arm and train young men to defend themselves against attacks. He emphasized that localized security measures would discourage attackers by creating a response system.
Furthermore, Prof. Sagay speculated that the neglect of the Southeast in key appointments could be due to the region’s low voting support for the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, he urged the government to encourage the Southeast and consider giving them positions to foster inclusivity. He also suggested that the region should diversify its political alliances rather than concentrating all its support in one party.
“My suspicion or thinking is that the states that voted for the All Progressives Congress, APC, should be the ones to be rewarded. That is the impression I have. That the Southeast almost voted zero, about five per cent or something like that, I think that may be the issue in contention. But it may be necessary also to encourage the Southeast by giving them some positions to begin to rethink their tendency to put all their eggs in one basket. That is the mistake they have always made. They were in the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) before, now it’s LP (Labour Party). I think it’s a mistake on their part. They should split and try others. I think that is the reason, but I also think they should be encouraged. They should equally be put in positions where they can control and contribute to the nation.”
Prof. Sagay criticized the recent incident where the Department of State Services (DSS) barricaded the gate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He termed the action as wrong and called for better cooperation between the two agencies. He recommended the creation of a body that represents both agencies to resolve any differences that may arise in the future.
He also acknowledged that President Buhari’s legacy had been met with mixed reactions. While recognizing his shortcomings in the area of security, he praised his achievements in infrastructure development and social investment programs. Prof. Sagay highlighted the significant progress made in building roads, tackling the Second Niger Bridge, and implementing poverty alleviation initiatives. However, he noted that the economy under President Buhari’s leadership did not perform well.
In conclusion, Prof. Itse Sagay urged President Tinubu to prioritize security, tackle economic challenges, and promote inclusivity. He also called for recognition of President Buhari’s achievements, particularly in infrastructure and social investment programs, while acknowledging areas where improvements were needed.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
