Former presidential candidate and Ovation magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police escorts from Very Important Persons (VIPs), describing the policy as a strategic move to weaken opposition voices rather than a genuine security reform.
Speaking on Arise News on Wednesday night, Momodu said many Nigerians were being misled into believing the directive was for public good, insisting that the real intention was to turn the masses against influential Nigerians—particularly opposition figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“I said it as far back as October 2022 that dictatorship was coming. I was insulted for it,” Momodu noted. “I’ve been trained to look behind the scenes for the real story. Nigerians are easily deceived, and as I stated in my press release, we have been fooled again.”
According to him, the policy is designed to create resentment toward wealthy and prominent individuals while quietly exposing political opponents to danger.
“This move is meant to set the poor against the rich. When you do that, you get applause—but people are not thinking deeply about the motive behind this decision,” he said.
Momodu recalled that similar tactics had been used in the past to intimidate key political players by stripping them of security protection, especially in tense political seasons.
He questioned how politicians would safely campaign during the forthcoming election season without police escorts.
“So when campaign begins in January, who will risk travelling across Nigeria without protection?” he asked.
Momodu argued that requiring security as a high-profile citizen is not a crime, adding that VIP protection exists in all countries.
“There is no nation in the world without VIPs. It is not a crime to be successful,” he said. “If anyone should lose their security, it should be politicians sitting comfortably in Abuja—not ordinary businessmen. Not Dangote, not Abu Salman.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, he pointed to a previous kidnapping attempt involving billionaire Femi Otedola.
“Remember when a kidnapper confessed he almost abducted Femi Otedola but was stopped by his heavy security detail? These things happen,” Momodu said.
He concluded by warning that the policy is part of a broader plan to suffocate opposition voices.
“When tomorrow comes and things begin to unfold, remember that one man warned you—this is all part of a plot to stifle the opposition,” he stated.
