By Our Correspondent
Kaduna
Former Chief Security Officer to the then Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said that the reason for his seeming withdrawal from public glare was his non-participation in the heightened political activities in the country.
Speaking in a radio programme in Kaduna on Wednesday night, Al-Mustapha pointed out he was not a card-carrying member of any political party, hence his decision to remain in the background in order to continue with his philanthropic activities.
“Wherever I go, I have always pointed out that I am not in partisan politics. But I am quietly carrying out my duties of assisting the youth.”
The security chief, who dispelled rumours that he had gone out of the country, said his intervention work in youth activities had taken him to many states, especially in the North.
He revealed that he works with several youth groups, traditional rulers and religious figures in order to bring about the much needed peace and unity in the country.
On his decision not to openly identify with the Jonathan Administration as a reward for its seeming assistance in releasing him from prison where he spent 15 years, the former security officer said his release was secured properly through the courts during Jonathan’s time as president.
He described General Muhammadu Buhari’s success in the presidential election as the right step in the development of Nigeria, describing the former military ruler as a principled man whose sense of patriotism was beyond doubt.
He prayed for the success of Buhari in his efforts to rebuild the country under a democratic dispensation.
Al-Mustapha also commented on the recent xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa, arguing that the attacks were senseless and done out of ignorance.
He recalled that under Apartheid the blacks of South Africa were so frightened of their white persecutors that they could not even dare to stare at them.
According to him, the South Africans were still in the bush about life in the modern times, pointing out there was an urgent need by leaders to educate them on the values of peaceful co-habitation.
He urged other African countries to use diplomacy or economic sanctions to press South Africa into reining in their murderous youth.