Says, Silence is Dangerous
By Ajewole Joshua|ABNews|
In a heartfelt open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 2025 Anambra Governorship aspirant and founder of The Valiant Movement, Valentine Ozigbo, has called for urgent and courageous leadership to address Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. The letter, released on Tuesday, carried a human tone that reflects the frustration, fear, and hope shared by millions of Nigerian citizens.
Ozigbo said he chose the open-letter format to ensure his message reached the President, noting that the issues raised “touch the very heart of our national interest.”
A NATION IN PAIN: OZIGBO LAMENTS RISING VIOLENCE
Ozigbo began by expressing concern over the continuous cycle of attacks across the country — from the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi to the killing of worshippers in Kwara, highway kidnappings, and the recent murder of a military general by bandits.
“These are not just headlines; they are open wounds on the conscience of our Republic,” he wrote, stressing that Nigerians are increasingly asking questions no functional state should provoke: “Is sorrow enough? Is silence wise? Is hope naïve?”
He reminded President Tinubu of the weight of the presidency, quoting former U.S. President Harry Truman’s famed line: “The buck stops here.”
CALL FOR A DECISIVE NATIONAL SECURITY CAMPAIGN
Ozigbo urged the President to launch a firm, unified, and politically backed national campaign against insecurity. He argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient intelligence and military capability, but lacks the political will to act decisively.
“We know where these criminals hide. We know the networks that feed them,” he said.
He urged Tinubu to “draw the red line” and ensure no sponsor, collaborator, or patron of terror is spared.
“Leadership, at its core, is moral clarity. And moral clarity is always an act of courage,” he added.
‘SILENCE IS DANGEROUS’: OZIGBO CALLS OUT MORAL LEADERS
The former Transcorp President decried the silence of elders, religious leaders, statesmen, and moral voices who once shaped national direction.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he warned that “the silence of friends” is more dangerous than the “words of enemies,” adding that national unity cannot survive when influential voices withdraw from public duty.
He urged Tinubu to mobilize these moral figures, stating that only the President can “awaken this moral army.”
ORANGE UNION MODEL: A NEW STRUCTURAL PATHWAY
Highlighting structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s governance, Ozigbo advocated the Orange Union Model, a framework promoted by the Fatherland Group. He described it as one of the most coherent restructuring pathways for a modern Nigeria, offering regional autonomy under a unified nation; similar to the European Union.
“This is not secession. It is Nigeria reimagined,” he wrote, calling for a dialogue that brings key groups and the federal government to the table.
RULE OF LAW AND ELECTORAL REFORM
Ozigbo commended Tinubu for recently speaking against judicial corruption but warned that impunity in political institutions fuels deeper decay.
He urged sweeping reforms of the judiciary and electoral system, including electronic voting, real-time result transmission, and independent candidacy.
“No nation governed by transactional justice can ever know peace,” he cautioned.
THE NEED FOR A STRONG OPPOSITION
Ozigbo, who previously moved from the Labour Party to the APC, warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at risk due to a weak opposition.
“A confident leader does not fear dissent,” he wrote, encouraging Tinubu to ensure political competition remains vibrant and unrestrained.
THE HUMAN COST OF INSECURITY
Ozigbo listed recent incidents that underscore the urgency of action:
- 25 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi
- Church worshippers murdered in Kwara
- Children kidnapped en route to school
- Citizens dragged from major highways
- A military general abducted and murdered
“Security is the first duty of the state. When it fails, nothing else stands,” he noted.
A PLEA FOR NNAMDI KANU’S RELEASE
Ozigbo revealed that he visited IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Monday and appealed for a political resolution to the long-standing case.
“Releasing him will calm the South East. It will reduce violence and open doors for healing,” he wrote, insisting that nations heal through “mercy, not martyrdom.”
‘NIGERIA CAN STILL RISE’ — OZIGBO’S FINAL MESSAGE OF HOPE
Despite the grim realities, Ozigbo concluded his letter with optimism, insisting that Nigeria stands at a critical turning point.
“Crisis can either consume a nation or awaken it. The choice is leadership,” he said.
He urged Tinubu to choose courage over caution, stating that history will judge him kindly if he responds decisively to the nation’s challenges.
Valentine Ozigbo, a recipient of the Seven Stars Leadership & Governance Excellence Medal 2025, reaffirmed his belief that Nigeria can still rise if guided by bold, principled leadership.
