Chidinma Iroegbu
Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called for sustained investment in intelligence gathering, security technology and border surveillance, declaring that “security remains the first condition of development” in Nigeria.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) held in Lagos on Sunday, shortly after a visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, urged security agencies to respond swiftly to early warning signals from communities, stressing the importance of grassroots intelligence in addressing insecurity.
“The governors reiterated that security remains the first condition of development,” the communiqué stated, while commending the federal government’s efforts at strengthening national coordination and international partnerships.
The forum further called for “sustained investment in intelligence, coordination, technology, border vigilance, and community-based early warning systems,” noting that peace must be built on both enforcement and public trust.
According to the governors, long-term stability also depends on expanding opportunities for young people and promoting social values that discourage violence and extremism.
At the meeting held in Lagos, APC governors also concluded zoning arrangements for party offices ahead of the party’s national convention, signalling preparations for internal restructuring.
Key party leaders, including National Chairman Prof. Netanwe Yilwatda and National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, attended the meeting alongside several governors from across the federation.
The forum said discussions with the President focused on national development priorities, including economic reforms, infrastructure, food security, and cooperative federalism, as well as ongoing efforts to address security challenges.
It added that recent international engagements by the President, including diplomatic outreach, form part of broader strategies to strengthen security cooperation and drive economic recovery.