The Enemies of the State and of the Citizens: The Binary Challenge of Buhari- by Sesan Johnson
"Where is the tenacity of your army as used to curtail IPOB of South east and Kaduna Shiites? Where’s the technicality used by Buratai’s men to decimate Bokom Haram in North East? Where’s your ‘carrot and stick’ approach used to ‘mellow-down’ the Niger Delta militants? Is it that you are more concerned with the attacks on the state and/or the economy of the state? Whereas, the groups mentioned above made attempts to grab territories, secede and occupy economic base of the state. Is it tenable to say; you are less concern about the lives of the citizenry. We must fight both the enemies of the state and of the people."
Within the
remix of the complex and heterogeneous nature of Nigeria and the
attending concomitant, as well as the preponderance of preventable
deaths particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna and the Middle Belt region of the
country, it is becoming more popular to blame the insensitive and
inhuman responses of Buhari-led government. Whereas, security of lives
and properties is one of the constitutional duties of a government. I
hope baba is aware that he’s the C-in-C. If he could not protect his
people against internal banditry, I wonder how he would be able to
curtail an external aggression.
Suffice
to reiterate some of the excuses rendered by the president. The
killings are results of the nuances and intrigues following the fall of
Ghadaffi’s Libya; climate change is also palpable and the recent one is
the fact that these killings are orchestrated by the opposition
politicians. As a historian who believe in multi-causality, I believe
the president may not be far from the truth. Perhaps it’s high time the
president searched for more reasons in order for to get quick and
holistic solutions. In all sincerity, I advice the president to look
inward and be sincere with himself. He should test the sincerity and
objectivity of his security architecture and personnel. Mr president
check out for any elements of bigotry, tribalism, cult of personality,
jingoism and nepotism. Arguably, a rejig of your security apparatus may
do the wonder. Methinks if decisive actions are not taken by the
government to curb this menace, the president is further opening the
chances for critics to accuse him of supporting ethnic cleansing and
religious pogrom.
I
learnt the president had offered prayers as the antidote to these
killings. No doubt, prayers are essential but Nigerians are expecting
more than prayers from you Mr president. Challenge yourself, and your
security team. History and posterity are begging to make judgements
about you and your time in government. You are known as Mr Integrity (Mr
Incorruptible). I believe you know integrity is not only in terms of
finance (money). Your integrity should be all encompassing. Your
integrity should show in the ways you are responding to these killings.
Are you aware your responses so far are already eroding your integrity.
Both local and international bodies are already interpreting or
misinterpreting your body language, silence and ambivalence.
Where
is the tenacity of your army as used to curtail IPOB of South east and
Kaduna Shiites? Where’s the technicality used by Buratai’s men to
decimate Bokom Haram in North East? Where’s your ‘carrot and stick’
approach used to ‘mellow-down’ the Niger Delta militants? Is it that you
are more concerned with the attacks on the state and/or the economy of
the state? Whereas, the groups mentioned above made attempts to grab
territories, secede and occupy economic base of the state. Is it tenable
to say; you are less concern about the lives of the citizenry. We must
fight both the enemies of the state and of the people.
I
believe a stitch in time saves nine. In spite of the causes of these
killings, the buck stops at your table Mr president. Add proactive
actions to your prayers. The lives and livelihoods of the Nigerian
citizens and residents are very important. The ball is in your court Mr
president.
