…Says Tinubu should borrow a leaf from Ex President Obasanjo’s regime
…Hints at structure of anti-APC coalition
By Peter Salami
Leader of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Former Vice President , Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lacks political will to address the roiling security crises bedeviling the country.
Atiku, while speaking in Abuja, recalled his stewardship as Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which time Boko Haram initially emerged. He said that the strong and decisive leadership of that administration helped suppress the insurgency.
Atiku told a delegation of stakeholders from the Kogi East Senatorial Zone, led by former Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba: “Let me remind you of when Boko Haram first emerged in 2002, during our time in office. The president (Obasanjo) summoned me and asked, ‘Mr Vice President, what should we do about this?’ It began in Yobe. I advised him to call the service chiefs and set a clear deadline: if they couldn’t quell the insurgency, they should resign.
“The president summoned the service chiefs, I was present, and issued firm orders. Within weeks, the insurgents in Yobe were subdued, and the threat did not resurface until after we left office.”
Expressing grave concern over Nigeria’s current security challenges, Atiku upbraided the President for failure to tackle the crisis saying that the APC led government lacks the political will to end the crisis.
“How can leaders remain unmoved while their people are being slaughtered?” Atiku questioned.
“I hold our current leadership accountable for the widespread insecurity plaguing our nation. There is a lack of political will.
Atiku also took aim at what he claimed to be government’s inadequate policing strategy, and proposed the recruitment of unemployed graduates into the police force to address the country’s growing security manpower gaps.
“We are under-policed. There simply aren’t enough police officers across the country, while many educated young people remain without jobs. Why not recruit them into the police force?” he asked.
He stressed the importance of a united political front to challenge the current administration, declaring, “We are building a coalition involving all major political parties—the APC, PDP, and Labour Party. This is the only viable path forward to confront an incompetent and inefficient government. You have my full understanding and support.”
Achuba, who led the delegation, echoed Atiku’s concerns, decrying the surge in violence, kidnappings, and the destruction of communities across the North. He accused the federal government of neglecting its constitutional duty to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.
“The government has done very little to ease this crisis, despite it being their responsibility,” Achuba claimed.
“When the government fails to act decisively, it falls on northern leaders to step up. We must begin the process of internal healing to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among ourselves.”