Moghalu: Nation-Building Essential to Combat Terrorism

Kingsley Moghalu, a former presidential candidate in Nigeria, asserted that the country cannot defeat terrorism without significant nation-building efforts. He highlighted that the absence of a cohesive national identity and the prevalence of primordial interests, corruption, and political mismanagement have contributed to Nigeria's security challenges.

Moghalu pointed out that the Nigerian state is grappling with a governance deficit, which has made public administration secondary to political interests. He stressed that the first condition for good governance and security is the state's ability to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

Moghalu connected Nigeria's terrorism issues to a broader international extremist network that extends beyond its borders, indicating that the root causes of terrorism are not merely local but part of a global jihadist ideology. He concluded that addressing fundamental questions of national identity and cohesion is essential for overcoming security challenges in Nigeria.