Rhodes-Vivour asks FG to license firearms for citizens’ defence 

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV), former Lagos state governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says the federal government should license firearms for citizens to defend themselves against terrorists. 

The ex-gubernatorial candidate, who defected to the African Democratic Party (ADC), said licensing guns for citizens’ defence has become necessary due to the government’s failure to secure the country.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme, ‘The Morning Brief’, on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour said insecurity in Nigeria is no longer within the confines of the north but has spread to other parts of the country.

“This is not just about the north. We have seen abductions in Kwara and Ogun states over the weekend,” he said.

“Destruction of institutions and the loss of public trust make people lose hope in government.

“I am talking about this situation now because of the failure of the government that we found ourselves in, and in this failure, if the government cannot sit up, then they should start considering licensing firearms.”

His suggestion follows a recent spike in the rate of terrorist attacks on schools and worship centres in some parts of the country.

The former LP candidate noted that the failure of the government to protect lives and property will propel Nigerians to look for a lasting solution in self-defence.

“If people do not believe the judiciary will deliver justice, or that the police will protect lives, they must act,” he said.

“If the military leaves and terrorists immediately kidnap and kill, people will have to defend themselves.”

He said it will be “wicked” to ask citizens to remain helpless when the government has failed to provide security.

Rhodes-Vivour called on the government to fulfil its obligation of securing the nation as enshrined in the constitution, asking how many Nigerians will be killed before action becomes a reality.

He urged the government to focus on security provision rather than being preoccupied with the upcoming 2027 general election.

“If I were in government, I would focus on protecting lives, not only the next election,” he stated.

“The way they manage security leaves room for doubt, conspiracy, and a credibility crisis.

“The government is obsessed with electioneering, not making lives of Nigerians better.”

He questioned the government’s approach of negotiating with bandits, saying that the strategy is unsustainable and not a good approach.

He decried the deteriorating security situation of the country, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of not having value for human life.