By Ayodele Oni
Again, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has advised President Mohamadu Buhari to stop treating the mirage of security challenges in the country with kids glove.
Dr Saraki, in a statement released on Tuesday, where he catalogued series of security challenges in recent times, pointed out that the issue has gone beyond what the present administration could handle alone.
The statement explained “it is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government need help.
“They have been overwhelmed by the situation and they sure need assistance from all. Thus, I urge Mr. President to seek help wherever it can be given.
“This matter has gone beyond what the government can handle alone. The President should know that calling for help in our present situation is not a sign of weakness.
“Just as I stated in my press statement on the same issue on January 24, 2021, I want to reiterate that the President needs to bring together all former Presidents and heads of state, serving and former chief justices, serving and former presiding officers of the National Assembly, serving and former heads of security agencies, traditional rulers with relevant experience, leaders of the private sector, development partners, friends of Nigeria in the international community and all others who can help in finding solutions to the problem at hand.
“The meeting must hold expeditiously and must be followed by immediate actions. I know there are many people who believe that the fact that this suggestion is coming from a source outside government is a good reason for the President to ignore it.
“I think the attitude this time around must be different. This is definitely not a time for partisanship or for people to play politics with the lives of the citizenry and the future of the country.
“Security of lives and properties is the first and most important duty of government and it must be taken seriously.
“My suggestion here is an appeal made out of genuine concern with what is going on in our dear country.
“More important, in the democracy that we practice, the institution charged with holding the executive accountable is the legislature.
“In this regard, I strongly call on my colleagues in the National Assembly to be more assertive in finding solutions to this issue of insecurity.
“l need to make it clear that they will not be helping the administration if they do not become more insistent and decisive in their approach to getting this security crisis tackled immediately.
“Doing this cannot be logically interpreted as antagonising the executive. Just as treating the issue in a mild manner does not amount to co-operation.
“They must stand up and put Nigeria first before any other consideration. It is by doing this that they can genuinely help both the government and their constituents.
“The leaders of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) also have a vital role to play. They must do all that is necessary to help the administration to get solutions to this national crisis.
“This is a time for them to be part of the search for the solution and getting the Government to act swiftly in implementing good ideas that will return the country to normalcy and the path of genuine development.
“Even those of us in the opposition party recognise the fact we can only exist if we continue to have a country.
“Thus, we are willing to cooperate with the Government in finding solutions to this problem. Our former leaders, I am sure, are ready, willing, and able to assist the government with their wealth of experience.
“With their active role in combating the COVID-19 crisis, even the private sector has shown that if called upon, at any time and on any issue, it is ready to help solve this crisis. Our friends in the international community, have also demonstrated their willingness to help us out.
“However, all these actors will not jump into the arena without the government facilitating their intervention. The government needs to call on them before this problem consumes all of us.”
