Insecurity: Will Atiku be the answer?

Although many people were outraged by alarming rates of killings – especially the recent appalling carnage on innocent people of Zamfara State, but as a concerned citizen, it will rather be wise and insightful to join hands with the present government to see the back of the insecurity than fall prey to opportunistic attempts by […]

Although many people were outraged by alarming rates of killings – especially the recent appalling carnage on innocent people of Zamfara State, but as a concerned citizen, it will rather be wise and insightful to join hands with the present government to see the back of the insecurity than fall prey to opportunistic attempts by opposition to draw a capital out of the saddest situation. Very interesting indeed to hear that governor Yari succumbed to our calls for declaration state of emergency in Zamfara State.

That’s why I still re-echo my earlier call for this declaration of State of Emergency. Probably, some imperfections might cause people to lose the high confidence they earlier bestowed on President Muhammadu Buhari, but predictably, Atiku Abubakar might not be an answer to Nigeria’s devastating insecurity. Because specifically speaking, failure to be upfront to Nigerians might cast aspersions on PDP’s commitments to security. While I wish Atiku’s policies to provide the required security for Nigeria, but painfully, I have every reason to doubt Atiku’s lots of campaign hype to guarantee the safety of lives and property. Though I must admit the fact that Buhari as Commander-In-Chief must take full responsibility for some shortcomings, but it might not necessarily be his fault if some practicable measures failed to produce desired response. Where was the PDP then when our gallant troops decimated Boko Haram?

Indeed, recent stoppage of BH by our resilient troops from taking over Baga would further underpin their ability to end the exasperating BH menace. If safety of lives and property were PDP’s major concern, their statements supposed to be geared towards boosting our troop’s morale. Accordingly, I’ll rather urge President Muhammadu Buhari to redouble his effort than believe in Atiku’s promise to secure Nigeria. With measures currently being taken, I’ll rather keep and maintain my hope for Buhari to consolidate on the recent security achievements than to believe in Atiku’s readiness to provide security. Because when it comes to security, credibility and integrity must not be in disrepute. Therefore, both the two are inseparable essentials for security. In fact, you can’t give security without being credible. So with regard to security, particularly with respect to glaring insurgency, Atiku’s failure to visit America has already stained his credibility. While on the other hand, President Buhari enjoyed a world-renowned credibility.

Also, even in the future ahead, Buhari’s credibility will no doubt continue to produce dividends to Nigerians. Needless to mention his unassailable incorruptibility. Remember, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was denied access to weapons by the US and many more countries on account of credibility. That was the reason that provoked Jonathan to resort to black market. Hence, the impromptu decision for using Ayo Oritsejafor’s flight to buy weapons to fight Boko Haram. Similarly, it’s undeniable fact that Atiku Abubakar, with his questionable accessibility to America’s soil, if the need arises, he will not be granted access to firearms. Remember, we are still battling with remnants of insurgency. As he failed in his recent bid to visit the US, we must come to conclusion that, hardly for America to roll out red carpets for the former Vice President.

Therefore, in case luck runs to him and become Nigeria’s President, obviously, Atiku might face the same challenge, or more so, than ex-President Jonathan. Again, what surprised me most was that, PDP were just shouting on a certain “security template” yet, not telling us exactly how guidelines of that “template” can outshine Buhari’s effort to ensure a peaceful Nigeria to all and sundry. Noticeably, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and their presidential candidate’s response to this insecurity were not comforting, but rather depressing to a hopeful mind. Recall that just recently, for reasons unknown to many, Atiku failed in his bid to visit the United States of America.

While America with all roles it played in international security, so tell me how can a man with a travel ban still hanging on his neck visit America to buy arms for Nigeria? While we have seen how President Muhammadu Buhari, despite his wide-acknowledged integrity is finding it difficult to get some arms. Presumably, Atiku with a shadowy travel status to the US wouldn’t enjoy the support of international security agencies to secure Nigeria. That’s why the PDP, as integral part of Nigerian project, one would have expected them to offer advice on ways they think as a solution to this menace. However, they chose to cause opprobrium for this government

Abbas Datti, Kano