Overhaul Nigeria’s Security Apparatus Totally, CNPP Tells Jonathan

Conference of Nigerian Political Parties {CNPP} views the removal of the National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi {rtd} and Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Halliru Mohammed, as a first step in the right direction; we however call for the total overhaul of the security apparatus.

To us security apparatus architecture comprises of the core commanders, equipment and strategy cum tactics. In this context, the removal of General Azazi and Dr Mohammed is a tip of the ice-berg in genuine effort to arresting the Boko Haram induced dangerous slide of Nigeria to a failed state.

President Jonathan needs be reminded that the elementary infantry tactics admonishes that in the face of serial loss of battles by a Commander-in-Chief, as is the case with the Boko Haram insurgents; the vital option open to him is total overhaul of security apparatus.

 This theorem is anchored on the truism that if you repeat a failed methodology severally or shy away from scorch-earth sanction policy; the tendency is that you get the same result. It is hard therefore to locate how the removal of the two men can make appreciable difference.

Colonel Sambo Dasuki {rtd}, we understand is a very fine officer; however only President Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party {PDP} leadership can address the issues raised by General Azazi at the South South Economic Summit, not Colonel Dasuki.

Azazi said, ‘In discussing the relationship between national security and development, let me say that one cannot do without the other. The issue of violence did not increase in Nigeria until when there was a declaration by the current president that he was going to contest. PDP got it wrong from the beginning. ……… let us examine all these issues to see whether the level of violence in the North East just escalated because Boko Haram suddenly became better trained, better equipped and better funded or something else was responsible. It takes very long for somebody to be a sniper.’

Also, the Federal Government White Paper on the Ambassador Usman Galtimari Panel Report, which was gazetted in May 2012, on politics and Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State stated thus, ‘origins of private militias of which Boko Haram is an offshoot can be credited to politicians who set them up in the run up to the 2003 general elections. The militias were alleged armed and used extensively as political thugs. After the elections and having achieved their primary purpose, the politicians left the militias to their fate since they failed to continue funding and keeping them employed. With no visible means of sustenance, some of the militias gravitated towards religious extremism, the type offered by late Mohammed Yusuf.’

CNPP regrettably remembers how the former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Sheriff in an unholy alliance with ex-president, Chief Oulsegun Obasanjo used the ECOMOG thugs to rig the 2003 general as reported above. Similar scenario repeated itself with Yan Kalare in Gombe and Bauchi States under the watch of their governors and the C-in-C.

As His Lordship, Hassan Mathew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto said, President Jonathan did not simulate the monster of Boko Haram or other variants of insurgents; but he has to provide solutions. Let us take it that he has started, in so doing he must embark on total overhaul not palliatives.

It is our considered view that the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan regime should commence the day he transforms the PDP in our collective interest, for the survival of our dear country and the future of our children. There will be no peace until the PDP and its affiliates imbibe democratic ethos, renounce do-or-die politics and be prepared for regime change. Regime change born out of free and fair elections is the brand name, sign post and epitaph which our sister countries – Ghana and Senegal harvest in the committee of nations.

We understand as well that modern equipment to track down the insurgents is in short supply and vital ones none existent; this must be addressed. For instance it is taking two years for ZTE to fully install CCTV round Abuja and its specification is said to be sub – standard.

Finally, the Ambassador Galtimari Report must be fully implemented, this will in no small measure assist the new NSA, Colonel Dasuki and the first step in this trajectory is full interrogation of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the then governors of North East states and all their accomplices.

Osita Okechukwu

National Publicity Secretary

CNPP

Soldiers on the streets