Like the week before it, events in Nigeria’s political scene last week abound with interesting stories. And as usual, they elicited different reactions.
FirstNews brings for your relish some of these events considered by many as ridiculous. We examined their implications on the country’s political development.
1. Zulum’s revelation
First, in our list of ridiculous events in Nigeria politics last week is the revelation by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum that deradicalised Boko Haram members usually go back and rejoin the terror group after carefully studying the various security arrangements in their host communities, during the reintegration process.
Zulum, who spoke on Thursday in Bauchi during a meeting of North-East Governors’ Forum said, “Another aspect of the war against the insurgency that needs to be urgently reviewed or modified, is the issue of deradicalisation of Boko Haram terrorists, who have been captured or have willingly surrendered themselves to the authorities.
“It has been confirmed that the concept of deradicalization or Safe Corridor is not working as expected. Quite often, those who have passed through the Safe Corridor initiative, or have been deradicalised, usually, go back and rejoin the terror group after carefully studying the various security arrangements in their host communities, during the reintegration process.”
Implication: The revelation by Zulum only confirms what many Nigerians have always seen the deradicalisation exercise to be, an absurdity.
Now that the chickens are coming home to roost, the question many are asking is whether the government would remain adamant and continue with the exercise.
2. Lawan on drug barons
Our second pick this week is the claim by Senate President Ahmad Lawan that drug barons are the ones funding Boko Haram insurgents and bandits.
He said when the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, visited him at the National Assembly in Abuja, on Thursday, March 4: “The National Assembly members are almost on daily interaction with our constituents and we know the very debilitating impact of drug abuse in our various communities.
“… let me say that Nigeria as a country is in one way or the other a transit route for drugs. Drug peddlers pass their drugs through Nigeria – cannabis, heroin, and possibly even cocaine.
“We believe that this has to stop, because the proceeds of such activities fund terrorism, they fund banditry, you wonder how the bandits have RPGs and these massive arms that they have. Definitely, these are some acquisitions provided by some barons, not the bandits themselves.”
Implication: It is difficult to understand why Nigerian politicians often chose to play to the gallery with matters of great concern.
If the Senate knows that drug barons are the ones funding terrorism and bandits, what are they doing about them? Who are these drug barons? Are they untouchable?
What Nigerians want to hear are the identities of these drug barons behind the menace of Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, killer herdsmen and not empty claims that usually amount to nothing.
It is high time the political class understood that Nigerians are no fools. Citizens still remember how often they have been told that foreigners are the ones terrorizing Nigeria.
3. Gumi’s annoying support for bandits
Making our third ridiculous event in Nigeria last week was Sheikh Ahmed Gumi’s unending annoying support for bandits.
After warning Nigerians earlier in the week under review, to stop calling bandits criminals, the Kaduna State Islamic scholar on Friday, March 5, speaking on Arise TV again said:
“Even those that instigated the civil war, the civil war that millions of people died, were pardoned. I see no reason why we cannot accept their (bandits) repentance and give them amnesty.”
Implication: Gumi has continued to bewilder Nigerians with his role as spokesman for the bandits and apparent illogical reasons why amnesty should be granted to the criminals.
Already, many are seriously beginning to think on whose side the Islamic cleric belongs, on the side of Nigerians who the bandits are waging war against or on that of the bandits.
The surprising thing among many observers of political events is that the government seems not to bother about Gumi’s rants, which many argue, have potential to embolden the bandits.
4. Matawalle’s empty claim
Fourth on the list is Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle’s empty claim on the identity of those behind the abduction of over 300 female students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Jangebe, Talata Mafara local government area of the state.
On Sunday, February 28, Matawalle had said when prominent Emirs paid him a visit: “As we await the arrival of the released kidnapped students of GSSS, Jangebe, I want to inform you that there are many revelations in relation to the abduction of these students.
“Many people will be surprised to hear those people behind the abduction of these innocent children.”
Implication: Matawalle only joins many other Nigerian politicians that often make claims they are not ready to substantiate. What is even more amazing is how a governor will know those behind the abduction of schoolchildren and yet choose to be silent and not reveal it.
The governor’s claim paints a picture of the conspiracy theory surrounding the insecurity pervading the northern states.
By deciding not to name those behind the kidnappings, the Zamfara State governor may have only shown himself either as a liar or as a protector of criminals.
5. Adesina’s shameless boast
The fifth and the last ridiculous events in Nigeria politics we tracked last week is President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina’s claim that Buhari’s government has always responded rapidly to the rescue of abducted students in the country.
Speaking on Monday, March 1, when he appeared on a Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today’ Adesina said:
“When the abductions of the students happened, how do they end? We had Dapchi, they were recovered. We had Kankara, they were recovered. We had Kagara, they were recovered. We are working on Jangebe in Zamfara now. You look at the end results.”
Implication: ‘Once bitten twice shy’ they say. Should Adesina not at least know that Nigerians are not fools? One can only but wonder if Adesina and the Presidency have any shame? Is it not shameful that a country with a leadership, whose primary role is to ensure the protection of lives and properties of its citizens, is busy glorying in being reactive and not proactive?
Like the saying goes, ‘There is God o-o-o!”
Till next week when FirstNews Politics Roundup returns, enjoy your week.