Last week was saturated with intriguing political events that kept Nigerians busy with different reactions. Among them include the Southern Governors’ Forum accord in Asaba.
In this week’s Politics Roundup, we examined the Asaba accord and other top interesting stories, looking at their implications to the nation’s development.
It is important you read through to find out why these stories and their imports should not be ignored.
1. Asaba accord
Troubled by the many woes of Nigeria, 17 southern governors, on Tuesday, May 11 gathered in Asaba, Delta State capital, where they reached an accord that has continued to elicit different reactions.
After deliberating on different challenges that have beleaguered Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari, the governors said they remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.
In a communique the issued after the meeting and read by the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, they resolved among other things: that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria, that urgent steps be taken to restructure Nigeria, that the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency; that appointments into Federal Government agencies be reviewed to reflect federal character.
Implications
The audacious step by the governors shows that the region’s elite, like their agitating youths, are no longer ready to stomach the perceived imbalance in the country.
That the governors discarded their party differences for their regional and the nation’s good have a lot of implications and only an ignoramus can call their demands bluff.
The kick against the position of the Southern Governors Forum by majorly the northern political class including the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, only goes to support the belief by many that the North are not interested in any national conversation on the Nigerian project and the idea of restructuring the country.
With the growing insecurity in the country and agitations here and there; an honest national discussion for a Nigeria that will work for all can no longer be ignored.
2. Buhari’s appeal
On Thursday, May 13, President Buhari appealed to Nigerians to show more understanding regarding the current security situation in the country.
A statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari to have made the appeal while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after observing the Eid prayers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari said, “I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at time and available resources. For example, when we came in; in the North East, ask people in Adamawa and Borno States and the South-South in terms of security.
“Without security, you can’t do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment are what is happening in the North West and we are dealing with it.
“Nigerians know at what stage we came in in 2015, what state we are today both on security and the economy and we are doing our best.”
Implications
It is unfortunate Buhari after six years as President is still expecting Nigerians to show more understanding.
The President’s claim that the security situation in the country was worse when he assumed power, makes one wonder if he really knows that currently, no part of the country is safe under his administration.
Like some have said, Buhari should instead show more understanding by making more effort to live up to the oath he swore to Nigerians, to protect them and their properties from criminals and murderers.
3. Lai on familiar terrain
Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, May 11 said that the government was not overwhelmed with the worsening insecurity in the country.
According to him, the government and its security agencies have the wherewithal in terms of personnel and fire-power to crush bandits, insurgents, criminals and other enemies of the Nigerian state.
He said, “It is no longer news that our dear nation is facing security challenges. However, I have read comments saying the Federal Government is overwhelmed and doesn’t have a clue as to how to tackle the challenges. Some have even gone as far as suggesting a truncation of the democratic order, a clearly treasonable stance.
“Well, I am here today to assure all Nigerians that while the government acknowledges the security challenges we face at this time, from terrorism to kidnapping, banditry and farmer-herder conflict, it is definitely not overwhelmed and indeed it has the wherewithal, as you will see in the days ahead, to confront the challenges headlong and restore law and order, peace and security.”
Implications
Nigerians are not surprised with Minister Lai’s claim, for many, he only toed a familiar terrain. The claim may have been another effort by the government to try to fool the citizens as the signals are all glaring that the Buhari administration may have run out of ideas on how to address the already worsened security situation across the country.
One can only hope that the promise that the government will confront the insecurity issues in the country headlong and restore law and order in the coming days will not end up like other similar promises in the past by the government.
4. Assault on Nigeria’s seat of power
On Monday, May 10, the Presidency raised an alarm that suspected armed robbers made an attempt to burgle the official residence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, inside the country’s seat of power, the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, wrote on his Twitter account, “The Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has confirmed that there ‘was a foolish attempt’ to burgle his residence at 3:00 am this morning but it turned out to be unsuccessful.
“Professor Gambari, whose house is on a street next to the Villa has assured that there is nothing to worry about from the incident.”
Implications
The attempt to burgle the home of Buhari’s Chief of Staff inside Aso Rock is a clear indication of the level of insecurity in the country.
If criminals can attempt to rub the nation’s seat of power without being apprehended shows that nowhere is safe any longer.
5. Fearless Aisha Yesufu
The co-coordinator of the Bring Back Our Girls, Aisha Yesufu, on Friday, May 14, vowed that she would not link her National Identification Number to her phone line as required by the Federal Government.
She said that linking her NIN to her phone number will leave her information in the control of a terrorist sympathiser.
“Let me repeat categorically what I have said before. I WILL NOT BE LINKING MY NIN to my phone number! I will rather not have a phone line than willingly give my information and have it in the control of a terrorist sympathiser and his cohorts #PantamiMustGo,” Yesufu wrote on her Twitter page.
Implications
Aisha Yesufu simply echoes the fear in the minds of many Nigerians. A good number of them are still not comfortable seeing Isa Pantami maintaining his seat as the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy despite his alleged link with terrorist organisations.
It is obvious that many linking their phone lines to NIN are doing so with fears that they may be handing out their information to a supposed terrorist sympathiser.