“A kingdom can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice” – Usman bn Fodio
In 2015 general elections one of the major promises APC used during its campaign was restoration of security to North-east which at the time was the worry of every individual in the country. Five years later, the situation has not significantly improved. The insecurity has in fact escalated and extends to many other regions like North-west and North-central. Today, these two regions have turned into war zones with bandits, kidnappers and terrorists killing, kidnapping and raping innocent unarmed civilians unchallenged.
Looking at the gory security situation in North-west today, a serious national emergency for which PMB was voted into power, Nigerians have been failed by the administration woefully. It was under the watch of our perceive Messiah President the North came across something 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 terms, northerners absolutely have right to voice out in their demands that the administration rewards their loyalty in real terms by protecting their lives and properties.
Let me remind the president about his speech at Chatham House UK. You said you cannot change the past. But you can change the present and the future. So 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. Its apt to qoute him @MBuhari, In 2015, 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, not only BH existing, but others.
To be honest, Nigerians’ hope has been dashed and the trust reposed on present administration has been betrayed. Buhari’s five years in office were characterised with insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, economic recession and other untold hardships. The question remains: what transpired between then and now? President Buhari promised to ensure effective and adequate security of lives and property. Nigerians believed him based on PMB’s status as a retired General, a position he was not picked from ground and also a war veteran and GOC 3rd Motorized Brigade. This is enough for him to tackle insurgency and high rate of crimes in the country. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened.
One may find it difficult to juxtapose the constitutional and primary responsibility of the government with the prevailing situation in the country under the watch of President Buhari and state governors where scores of people being killed on daily basis and hundreds of others have abandoned their homes. In spite of PMB’s lamentation about the worrying security situation he still retains the service chiefs, whose strategies have not won the country any victory against criminals. But what President Buhari and his team of praise-singers must answer is, why has he chosen to retain his service chiefs even in the face of deteriorating security situation and why would he come to the open to express such shock, when he has blatantly ignored all advice and opinions that he should experiment with some fresh hands in the capacity of service chiefs? Mr President, you need to have capable and willing hands around you, listen to them and engage them.
When i read President Buhari’s broadcast to the nation on Democracy Day I was confused. The speech shows that the administration and its security apparatus are not on top of the situation because each passing day Nigerians are maimed by armed bandits and others. The address really shows that Mr President has no accurate briefings on true state of the nation. These bandits displaying a certain degree of impunity scatter themselves and are walking freely. Hence, security personnel find it difficult to contain the attacks even before the Covid-19 pandemic which the president claims criminals are taking advantage of.
President Buhari promised Nigerians that he will lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity. But this has not been achieved in five years of the administration. Te qualities of a leader include integrity, accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, vision, influence, and positivity. While management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could. But the adminstration lost this chance, especially its first one year in office.
One thing we all know is that Nigeria is our country and on this country of ours, we still have many problems to solve – political system, economy, security, etc. Mr President, please find people who are good, honest and knowledgeable enough to represent your vision, and who can be trusted with huge responsibilities. You need to trust more.
Nigerians are tired of excuses and verbal threats which criminals laugh at, considering the escalation of attacks by bandits, rustlers and insurgents. It leaves the 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. 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 by the 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..
Dukawa writes from Kano via [email protected]
