By Hon. Kenneth Gbandi
foto credit (TheCable)
The most common way people surrender their power and their rights is by convincing themselves they never had any in the first place, that their voices do not matter and their questions carry no weight. History has repeatedly shown that silence in the face of grave concern is not neutrality; it is complicity. It is against this backdrop that I acknowledge the decision of Nasir El-Rufai to raise a matter he describes as one of national urgency.
The allegation that a figure who has the ear of the President on national security architecture may be involved in the importation of thallium sulphate, an extremely toxic substance, demands sober reflection, lawful scrutiny, and measured public accountability. This is not a matter for sensationalism, nor should it be reduced to political theatre. It is a question that touches directly on public safety, national security, and institutional trust in a nation of over 250 million citizens.
Experts widely agree that thallium compounds are highly toxic and require stringent control, careful handling, and transparent regulatory oversight. In a country already grappling with complex security challenges, the potential risks of misuse or mishandling, whether by state or non-state actors cannot be dismissed lightly. When the Senate leadership itself acknowledges persistent insecurity across multiple states, the duty to ensure that hazardous substances are monitored with the highest level of accountability becomes even more urgent as we head toward a highly heated election cycle.
Within the boundaries of law and democratic responsibility, opposition parties, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens are fully justified in invoking transparency mechanisms, including the Freedom of Information framework, to seek clarification. Asking questions is not subversion; it is the lifeblood of democracy. Accountability does not weaken government; it strengthens legitimacy by demonstrating that institutions are capable of responding to public concern with facts, not silence or intimidation.
Let us be clear: this conversation should not be about personalities or the messenger. It should not devolve into attacks on Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else who raises alarm. The focus must remain on the substance of the allegation and the need for clear, verifiable answers. Democracies mature when issues are confronted head-on, not when messengers are discredited to avoid difficult questions.
The burden now rests with the relevant authorities to provide clarity, reassure the public, and demonstrate that robust safeguards exist to prevent misuse of hazardous materials. Transparency here is not optional; it is essential to calming public anxiety and reinforcing confidence in institutions that are already under strain.
Nigeria must resist the temptation to turn serious national questions into media spectacles. The stakes are too high, and public safety is at risk. This is a moment for institutional accountability, not political distraction. Citizens deserve truth, and the state has both a legal and moral obligation to provide it.
As a nation, we must remember that democracy thrives when citizens insist that their voices matter. Accountability is not an act of hostility toward government; it is an act of patriotism. The call today is simple: let facts prevail, let institutions speak clearly, and let transparency guide the way forward.
Only then can we assure Nigerians that national security and public safety remain above politics and firmly anchored in the rule of law.
Hon. Kenneth Gbandi is a veteran diaspora and ADC Diaspora Leader, at the forefront of sustained advocacy for credible elections, electoral technology reform, and accountable governance in Nigeria.
