Declare state of emergency on Northern states now — Onitiri

Chief Adesunbo Onitiri.

ACTIVIST and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri has called on the All Progressives Congress, APC -controlled Federal  Government to as a matter of urgency, declare  a state of emergency on the Northern states to preserve the lives and property of the people and stop the carnage in that part of the country. 

Onitiri in a statement in Lagos, yesterday, Nigerians were tired of the wanton killings of innocent people by Boko Haram, AK-47 riffle-wielding herdsmen, kidnappers, and all other terrorists groups ravaging the north unabated. 

He said: "It is no gainsaying the fact that the APC government has woefully failed this nation in all parameters of governance, particularly its three cardinal programmes vis: the dwindling economy, insecurity and anti-corruption battle." 

"The APC administration in 2015 promised the nation to fix the economy, battle insecurity and eliminate corruption in governance.  Based on these promises, Nigerians voted overwhelmingly for the party.

"Regrettably, the APC has failed the people woefully, while the security of the nation is at the lowest ebb. Nigerians can no longer sleep with their eyes closed. 

"Terrorists and bandits have taken over the entire country, even our military formations are no longer safe. Nobody is safe in Nigeria any longer.  

"The situation is now so bad that Northern Governors are calling on the Presidency to declare a state of emergency on the Northern states because the bandits have taken over most parts of the area. 

"The bandits now move about openly with their AK 47 rifles unchallenged and with impunity. This is unacceptable to Nigerians."

"On behalf of the Patriots Nigerians and all lovers of democracy, call on the President to declare the killer Fulani herdsmen and bandits terrorist groups immediately. Besides, he should enforce the arrest and prosecution of all herdsmen with AK 47 rifles.

"We demand that the present lopsided appointments of the nation's security architecture be disbanded and every stakeholder be carried along in the new security formation."

Onitiri advised the Federal Government to dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, Sunday igboho and all agitators with the aim of finding lasting peace in the country. 

He added that the presidency should also discard the archaic open grazing and grazing routes idea and embrace ranching and total ban on open grazing in the country.  

Insecurity: Nigeria in dire need of competent managers — Diri

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said Nigeria was in dire need of competent managers of human and other resources to achieve sustainable national security and development.

Presenting a keynote address at the South-South Zonal Management Summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) in Yenagoa, tagged Bayelsa 2021, Diri represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted that the level of insecurity currently plaguing the country was unprecedented.

"Insecurity comes in various forms. It is not only the kinetic insecurity our security agencies are dealing with, such as armed robbery, insurgency, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

"We have insecurity facing our political system. In this country, we have a situation where most politicians no longer have values but only pursue their selfish interests.

"As far as their interest is protected or fortified, they can damn any consequences and even the interest of the people they are leading. That is why some of them can change like the chameleon and jump ship easily.

"Do we have enough social security? Again, the answer is no. Our moral system has been affected by both 'coastal and gully erosion'. The love for a brother is no longer a sine qua non in Nigeria," he said.

Also speaking, President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, (Chartered), Mrs Patience Anabor, observed that the current level of insecurity had caused colossal damage to the national economy.

Culled from Vanguard