“A kingdom can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice” Usman bn fodio
Before delve into the issue of insecurity in the north west, let me remind you about your well celebrated speech at Chatham House UK which you said you cannot change the past. But you can change the present and the future. Further said before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time. You may ask: why is he doing this? This is a question I ask myself all the time too. And here is my humble answer: because the work of making Nigeria great is not yet done, because I still believe that change is possible, this time through the ballot, and most importantly, because I still have the capacity and the passion to dream and work for a Nigeria that will be respected again in the comity of nations and that all Nigerians will be proud of.
When i read president Buhari’s broadcast to the Nation on Democracy Day , I was in serious confused if the speechwriters are really conversant with issue of the security deteriorating in the country. Peoples are tired of excuses and verbal threats which even criminals laugh at, considering the escalation of attacks by bandits, rustlers and insurgents leave the only conclusion that the people of the North are now completely at the mercy of armed gangs who roam towns and villages at will, wrecking havoc.
The speeches shows that the administration and its securities apparatus are not on top of the situations because each passed day the lives of Nigerians are mimed in senseless killed by armed bandits and other. The addressed really shows that Mr President either is not accurately briefings by the security or not on the true pictures of what happens in the prone areas.
In 2015 general elections One of the major promised APC used during its campaign to restoration of security North East which at the time was the worry of every single individual in the country. Five years later, the situation has not improved; it has in fact escalated and extends to many other regions like North West and north central. Today these two regions have turn into the zone of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists killing, kidnapping and raping innocent unarmed civilians unchallenged. Looking at the gory security situation in Nigeria today, a serious national emergency for which PMB was voted into power, we can say without mincing words that Nigerians have been failed by this administration woefully.
Northern Nigerians masses and the Nigerians at large believed in all what than GMB’s political rhetoric on the country bedevils insecurity would be solved base on PMB’s status as retire General a position he was not picked from ground, a war veteran and also GOC 3rd Motorized Bridget this is enough for him to puts his experience in tackling insecurity and other high rate of crimes in control.
Its apt to qoute him in one of his tweet in January 2015, @MBuhari, said it was a big disgrace for the previous admin to deal with insurgents for 5 years to the extent of seeking help from neighboring countries. Now, in his 5 years in office this hasn’t happened and it is complete treachery of the role the state should play to its people and not only does BH exist, but other forms of insecurities are the new norm.
It was under the watch of our perceive Messiah President the North came across something’s called banditry and kidnapping that cost the lives of thousands. For Mr. President and his handlers clearly knew that Northern votes secured his first and second term, northerners absolutely have right to voices out their demands that the administration, rewards their loyalty in real terms. In fact government is not doing enough in protecting the lives and properties and most importantly their economic well being.
Notwithstanding President you promised Nigerians that he will lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity and would ensure that his administration reforming the economy and security. The North West which as of 2015 it’s enjoyed relatively peace but now the zone became a volatile as result of insecurity perpetrated by armed bandits and no one feel safe be at home or on high ways. One may finding it so difficult to juxtapose the constitutional and primary responsibility of the government with the prevailing situation in the country under the watch of President and state governors where scores of people have been killed on daily basis, hundreds others have abandoned their homes.
To add salt to injury president claims criminals taking advantage of COVID-19 restrictions, even before this restrictions these crook displaying a certain degree of impunity scatter themselves and walking freely henceforth security personnel find it difficult to contain the attacks even before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, still in respect of where one came regardless of political affiliations Nigerians keep calling on the Federal Government to deploy more security agencies, and fighter helicopters to the security prone and Let them comb all the forests and eliminate these bandits. When and how Security Agencies will pursue the perpetrators and bring them to swift justice.
It would appear that both federal and state governments have lost control over protecting people of the North, a constitutional duty that they swore to uphold. The situation is getting worse literally day by day. Bandits and insurgents appear to sense a huge vacuum in political will and capacity which they exploit with disastrous consequences on communities and individuals.
Five years of your administration, northern peoples are appear helpless in finding solutions to insecurity as well as poverty in the North. Your popularity and massive support behind you has been badly rip apart going market shops and stalls one will hear and see the pains peoples going through because poverty and insecurity in the North.
Dukawa wrote in from Kano and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com
