By Badamasi
S. Burji
Everyday concerned citizens and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) take to the streets of Nigeria and world in general in protest, demanding more government action for the release of the over 200 abducted schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno state. The protesters expresseddismay over shoulder-shrugging apathy about the violence plaguing the North, demanding security forces do more o as to rescue the girls.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state and the entire people of the state are victims in this senseless war being waged by Boko Haram, and what they deserve is succour and support not further victimization by a federal government which seems to have run out of ideas on how to subdue the sect. it is clear that Governor Shettima has done everything humanly possible to support the federal government and the brave men and women fighting the sect, in addition to providing succour to the good people of Borno who have been terribly traumatized by the activities of these misguided terrorists.
It was also reported that a particular woman who helped organise protests was detained by the police, on the orders of the First Lady Patience Jonathan. It was gathered that the first lady was not happy when the women showed up for a meeting instead of the mothers of the victims. The woman was, however, later released. Reports said Mrs. Jonathan had further incensed protestors by suggesting the abduction story was a hoax scripted by Boko Haram supporters to embarrass the government. Few days ago in far-away United States of America, protests were held in major Western cities including Los Angeles and London. At the same time, the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls trended globally on Twitter as the story continued to spread.
Shettima visited most of the affected areas including Chibok, despite being advised that it was too dangerous. In fact, I heard from reliable sources that even some of his commissioners switched off their phones so the governor will not reach them in order to avoid the trip.
I have nothing to do with the governor but he is among the few highly respected governors due to his good leadership qualities.He is always with his people for better and for worst unlike the leaders that will only be seen by the people when they are seeking re-election. Mrs Jonathan should blame her husband for inefficiency and insensitivity to the security situation in the country.
When these schoolgirls were abducted, President Goodluck Jonathan went to Kano State to dance to ‘Kalangu’ music and engage the state Governor, Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, in needless insults. Mrs Jonathan is now mobilizing Nigerians against governor Shettima in an attempt to shield her husband from blame.
According to his aides, Mr. President is determined to ensure that peace continues to exist in all parts of the country and would not resort to any act capable of igniting crisis in the country, irrespective of the insults by the All Progressives Congress (APC). But as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Jonathan is in full control of all the instruments of coercion available to the country, which he can, and in fact, has been deploying at will. If, therefore, some seemingly implacable dead-enders have continued to kill, maim and destroy in any part of the country, no one but the President should be held liable. Everyone knows a governor does not deploy troops.
What is happening in the North-east in general and Borno state in particular is failure of leadership at the highest level of government, especially because of the imposition of a state of emergency in the three worst-hit states which has given the President emergency powers to deal with the protracted crisis. Any government’s responsibility is the protection of lives and property. This means that the moment any government fails in that key responsibility, it can no longer justify its reason for existence.
Who is fooling who between our lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum? This group of politicians held a meeting where it was agreed that they were not going to accept an extension of the state of emergency. Their reason was that they were not convinced that emergency rule was the only option that would make the security personnel to achieve success in the three troubled states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
Surprisingly, however, members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly went ahead last week to approve the emergency rule extension while their counterparts in the red chambers are set to ratify the president’s request today. Haba!