…Says present security architecture has failed
Just like late elder statesman,Chief Obafemi Awolowo ,did in 1983 when he declared that only Nigerians can free themselves ftom misrule,former president Olusegun Obasanjo has toed the same path.
Apparently frustrates by governments approach to securing by the country,he declared Friday that Nigerians should put on their thinking cap and rescue themselves since government has failed.
Said he,”the federal security architecture as organised and operated by the present government cannot give any individual or group hope, let alone assurance of security within Nigeria.”
The former President, weighed in once again on the present parlous of situation of the situation in the country, as he had done on many occasions since leaving office in 2007 after eight-year tenure, the first civilian President to do so.
His comments was part of a paper he presented in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital entitled,” COVID-19 and the Nigeria security issues: The way forward, Obasanjo, who spoke on Friday at the 2020 edition of the Sobo Sowemimo Annual Lecture organised by Abeokuta Club, Obasanjo, also insisted that restructuring of the nation’s security architecture remained the only means by which Nigerians could truly get the safety of lives and property that they desired.
The former President, who was once also a Military Heade of State, reminded his audience that at this point, the destiny of the country is in the hands of every Nigerian, urging them to put on their thinking caps in a bid to chart a new course for socioeconomic developments.
“Our destiny is in our own hands. In reform and restructuring, security architecture, structure and arrangement must devolve more security responsibility on the community, local and state authorities.
“Unfortunately, I have recently observed from some writers on the security situation in the North, the feeling or attitude of ‘it serves them right’. We must not gloat at the difficulties or misfortune of others, rather we must emphathise.
“Wherever there is insecurity in Nigeria, it must be of concern to all of us. It should not be the attitude of ‘am alright Jack’ or ‘it serves them right’. I believe it should be ‘we are all in one bad boat and we must put all hands on deck to fix it’. Maybe now that we are all feeling the pinch, the collective fixing will be understood and be easy to accomplish.”
He said they must take initiative and spearhead actions that would involve governments and the governed, leading to the devolution of the security architecture, and responsibility in subsidiarity.
In the treatise, where he canvassed a new Nigeria based on the principles of democracy, equity, justice, mutual respect, egalitarianism, good governance, federal character, merit and competence, as condition precedent “in all walks of life, from all ethnic groups, religious groups, cultural groups, political groups and across age and gender who will work genuinely and sincerely for the emergence” of such a new Nigeria.
He called for an end to what he labeled as papering over the obvious cracks in Nigeria’s polity, arguing that such an attitude would not solve the problems, neither would “tearing up or seeking disintegration.”
All well-meaning Nigerians must speak out because, or risk being and irresponsibly so by remaining silent, adding: “The solution lies in men and women imbued with courage, nationalism, patriotism, commitment, foresight and love in critical mass to spearhead the crusade for new Nigeria.
“Let us launch and promote such a crusade on the slogan, “Security Matters To All; No security, No Nigeria. The time is now. Delay is postponing the evil day.”
He added: “I see it as a matter of life and death for our country, which must not be toyed with. Insecurity brought about by widespread criminality of Boko Haram, insurgents, herdsmen/farmers conflict, terrorists, bandits, armed robbers, militants, kidnappers, abductors and human traffickers is a new phenomenon that is ravaging the entire country.
“The causes are many but the solution is beyond the capacity of the government. Prompt action is required from all well-meaning Nigerians from across the board as we are all victims and hostages. We must not adopt position of mindlessness ‘do nothing’ and allow a few to wreck our present and our future.”
