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NATIONAL SECURITY: Which Way Nigeria?
By
Uwem Inyang
National Security has always been of prime importance in any developed and developing society. It has been in most cases given topmost priority in the face of growing
aggravation and constant irritation as it bothers the state integrity of any serious nation. It is normally acknowledged to be the bedrock of any stable environment
as it facilitates surety of live and property while allowing mortals to go about their daily businesses without fear or question.
Unfortunately, in our dear native land, both the state and a disturbing proportion of the inhabitants of the state have
grossly undermined this. Lack of common sense, constitutional disloyalty, political idiocy and religious bigotry has been directly or indirectly responsible for this
malady. Due to the presence of these idiosyncrasies, arm robbery and political assassinations have assumed an unprecedented dexterousness in our society thus ensuring
that we continue to remain an international eyesore in the focal lens of the civilised world. The enthronement of democracy seems to have failed in curbing this
menace and the insatiable desire of a few, now remains our bane in the pursuit of a progressive enclave in the name of Nigeria. This is unfortunately another sad
attestation in our 42 years of existence as an empire and not a nation.
The recent massacre and irritating destruction of live and property in Kaduna and Abuja respectively is yet another blemish in our historical artefacts. The decision
of a few senseless Nigerians to embark on such gruesome murder and rampage is stomach churning to say the least. That the genesis of this revelation is laid at the
feet of irresponsible journalism is illogical and out of reality. That hosting a Miss World competition is seen through religious binoculars rather than social
spectrum and tourist attraction is irrational and nonsensical. What we in AGAIN (Association for Good Governance and Accountability in Nigeria) are saying is that,
there are more decent and civil manners to get one’s disproval across rather than condescend to the level of being used as vessels of such wickedness and religious
malice. If the contents of the article by Miss Isioma Daniel are being viewed as blasphemous, then it is the duty of the Islamic elite to seek redress with the same
pen so that they will not be judged on the premise of using a gun in a wrestling contest. The mere fact that over 200 innocent lives were lost should sober any
right-thinking human being down and not to inflate the already awful situation by issuing a death warrant to Miss Isioma Daniel. This is absolute cruelty and must be
condemned in its entirety especially when one considers the apologies offered by This Day publications. Now that a 78-year-old priest has died owing to severe cuts
and burns, if the reverse was the case and an Imam or Moslem cleric was killed, would they be peace and tranquility?
We have to make this known that if anything happens to Miss Isioma Daniel, there will be grave consequences that will follow. These penalties will spread far and wide
and might be uncontrollable and unending to be honest. That not withstanding, we really want to commend and praise the timely and wise efforts of Muhammadu Buhari,
Abubakar Umar, The Sultan of Sokoto and Prof Jubril Aminu so far with their concrete voices of reason. We also like to thank Prof Wole Soyinka for his gallantry and
voice of strong caution to the idle deputy governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Shinkafi regarding his careless utterance of fatwa. At times, you need a tat to keep a
tit in check and that was simply what Alhaji Shinkafi deserved at that point in time. It is also our opinion that Alhaji Skinkafi be summoned to Aso Rock without
delay for him to be made legally binding to any mishap that occurs to Isioma where ever she is. We also consider it very pertinent for the President to realise that
at any point in time where any live is lost and he does nothing, he shall be held accountable. He shall also be held answerable for any uprising that runs in sync to
the initial violence if he fails to act decisively. The mere fact that a punch was packed for the riots in Odi and Zaku Biam and then kiddie’s gloves are employed in
Kaduna and Abuja is unjust and unfair. What is good for the goose is simply good for the gander. Former Minister for Works, Chief Anthony Anenih, had twice said that
there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in this democratic dispensation and got no caution for it. President Obasanjo should have realised that such comments are capable of
threatening democracy thus affecting our national safekeeping.
As a panacea to these sad and horrifying tales occurring at will in Nigeria, we would like to recommend the following resolutions: -
1. It is high time the Nigerian Police are properly paid and equipped with modern equipment in order to combat any rebellion and crime that repulsively undermines our
national security. We believe that the Police service in a federal system should be run by the individual states or regions deployed under the state governor. All
that is needed now is a simple devolution of controlling authority from Abuja to the State Commands and corresponding changes in letters of the Constitution. In such
devolution, the centre may only retain the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigations, which normally should merge with the SSS for accountability reasons.
2. The response time or service level agreements to such destructive and threatening events be modified and thoroughly over-hauled to ensure speedy and effective
crushing of such unholy scenarios.
3. Religious leaders should be held responsible if they refuse to curb and admonish prospective trouble-shooters. They must be made to face the full wrath of the law
if they refuse to intervene and if any credible alibi is found incriminating them with complicity.
4. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has to place national interest above personal, sectional, political ambition especially when national security is
at stake. Anything short if this should be considered as dereliction of duty and violation of the constitution.
5. That Governors or Deputy Governors be stripped of any portfolio that is attached to any fanatical religious inclinations, devotions and allegiance with immediate
effect.
6. The SSS have to be more alert, vigilant and pro-active henceforth while treating as very serious any information at their disposal that emasculates the protection
of live and property and the co-existence of the Nigerian society.
7. A sovereign national conference should be convened in order to straighten out areas not covered by the constitution and areas of sectional, religious and political
conflict.
God Bless Nigeria!!!
Uwem Inyang
International Co-ordinator
Ayo Abudu
International Secretary
Leo Daniel
Co-ordinator (Europe)
For any rejoinders, pls email againnigeria02@hotmail.com.
Dec 2002
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