By Magnus Emuji
OKPANAM/Nigeria: A frontline community leader and Isagba of Okpanam Kingdom, Paul Nwayalani, has called on governments at all levels to strengthen local vigilante groups as a more effective response to rising insecurity, dismissing the push for state police as politically risky and potentially dangerous.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalists at his Obodogba country home in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nwayalani said local vigilantes were better positioned to combat crime because communities know their own people and understand local dynamics.
He argued that most criminal activities thrive with internal collaboration, insisting that empowering community-based security structures would yield better results than creating state police, which he said could be hijacked by politicians to serve partisan interests rather than public safety.
On the economy, the Okpanam leader urged the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to urgently tackle soaring inflation, which he described as the major driver of poverty and hardship across the country. He said poor economic policies and rising prices were eroding livelihoods and deepening social distress.
Nwayalani called on political leaders to demonstrate genuine commitment to placing Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and development, stressing that leadership required sacrifice, vision and accountability.
He commended the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the incumbent, Sheriff Oborevwori, for their roles in advancing development in the state, while urging the Oborevwori administration to roll out more impactful policies and programmes in 2026 to surpass existing achievements.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Nwayalani warned politicians against forming opportunistic alliances solely to unseat incumbent administrations for personal gain, recalling similar political manoeuvres that led to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
He advised Nigerians to exercise extreme caution in choosing their leaders in 2027, stressing that only individuals with proven integrity, clear understanding of national challenges and the capacity to deliver solutions should be entrusted with power.
The community leader also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the traditional ruler of Okpanam, Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, describing him as a focused, pragmatic and unassuming leader with uncommon passion for community development.
Addressing the youth, Nwayalani urged them to shun crime, embrace peace and unity, and show respect for elders. He lamented the erosion of moral values and discipline among many young people, advising them to acquire skills and pursue legitimate means of livelihood, noting that the era of land racketeering and illegal dealings was over.
