By James Orji

An Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern MURIC has exonerated President Muhammadu Buhari from the wanton killings and insecurity in the northern part of the country. If anyone is to be held responsible, the body led by Professor Ishaq Akintola, said it is former President Goodluck Jonathan who failed to nip the problem in the bud.

MURIC’s suggestion comes on the crest of protests in some part of the north and Abuja against President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of the issue. For instance, the president has been virulently criticised for travelling, alongside some of his ministers to attend the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, in Ankara, the Turkish capital since Wednesday, when he failed to pay a visit to Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna where bandits and boko haram insurgents have stepped up attacks lately.

But in a statement, on Saturday, MURIC said President Buhari has done his best to tackle the problem of insecurity ravaging the North, noting that past administrations in the country allowed Boko Haram insurgency to fester.

For instance, the Islamic body said the manner past administrations in the country, particularly that of former President Jonathan handled the kidnap of Chibok girls added fuel to the problem of Boko Haram.

The statement reads in part “The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is unhappy that the North has a humongous security challenge. We are perturbed by reports of mosques being attacked, Imams being killed and Muslim worshippers being killed or kidnapped. These are difficult times indeed.

“But we must not be shortsighted in this matter. Today was born from the wombs of yesterday. The buildup to this ugly situation began a long time ago. We will therefore be misplacing our anger if we focus on the current administration and blame it for all our woes.”

The lackadaisical handling of the problem by past administrations “has immediate and remote causes” on the level of insecurity in the northern part of the country. The immediate cause is the lethargy manifested by those in power at the time Boko Haram began about twelve years ago. Little or no effort was made to nip the problem in the bud. The remote causes are the bastardisation of the almajiri system and the proliferation of drug addiction.”

MURIC said “ex-President Goodluck Jonathan displayed high level apathy to the problem of Boko Haram insurgency. A glaring example was his self-imposed state of stupor in the first three weeks after the Chibok girls were abducted.

“Had he acted swiftly, the insurgents would have been apprehended but he dilly-dallied and refused to give the order to pursue the abductors until it was too late.”

According to the group, the problem was further compounded by the mismanagement of funds meant for the purchase of security platforms and equipment to fight the dreaded Boko haram insurgents.

“The way and manner the $2.1 billion arms money was shared among party loyalists under the watch of the former president left much to be desired. Had that money been utilised for what it was intended, insecurity in the North would have been brought under control at an early stage.”

President Buhari’s hands were also tied by uncooperative National Assembly who was also bent to frustrate his efforts MURIC said, adding that Northern leaders failed to speak up when it mattered, but now turned around to blame the current administration.

“The  National Assembly (NASS) under the leadership of Senator Saraki virtually held the hands of President Muhammadu Buhari and ensured that there was motion without movement. It was a NASS that came with only one objective, namely, to frustrate the executive and ensure that it failed in all its efforts.

“Budgets submitted in September were delayed till May of the next year. Funds meant for fighting insurgency and banditry were blocked. Nigerians, particularly Northerners should have seen the handwriting on the wall and acted promptly. That was the time the North should have started demonstrating against looters and unpatriotic lawmakers,” MURIC said.