Like always, Nigeria media space was replete with political events that elicited different reactions from Nigerians.
In this week Politics Roundup, we looked at Muhammadu Buhari’s dot-in-a-circle comment and some other stories and their implications to the nation’s growth and development.
It necessary to note the significance and implications of these stories.
1. Buhari’s dot-in-a-circle comment
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, June 10, described the South-East as a dot in a circle.
He stated this in an interview aired by Arise TV, while making comments on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a South East Pro-Biafra group.
He said, “That IPOB is just like a dot in a circle. Even if they want to exit, they will have no access to anywhere.
“And the way they are spread all over the country, having businesses and properties, I don’t think IPOB knows what they are talking about.
“In any case, we say we’ll talk to them in the language that they understand. We’ll organise the police and the military to pursue them.”
Implications
One only wonders what Buhari intends to achieve by supposing all Igbos to be members of IPOB as shown in his comment.
Buhari, by referring to Igbos as a dot in a circle, who have nowhere to go, gives room to those who see him as a hater of the Igbos to justify their claims.
Buhari may have also succeeded in making Igbos understood why under his administration, the people have continued to clamour for an appointment in any significant national office.
2. Ortom’s eye for an eye option
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, on Saturday, June 12, said his people would no longer fold their arms and allow killer Fulani herdsmen continue to slaughter them.
The governor hinted it will now be an eye for an eye affair, vowing that the people of Benue State will no longer cry over herdsmen attacks but will fight back.
Speaking to newsmen at a media parley at the state’s Government House on Saturday, Ortom said:
“A few weeks ago, Benue stakeholders met and gave this administration the mandate to activate and implement the Community Volunteer Guards Law enacted in 2000.
“We have already commenced the process of recruiting responsible people of 50 years and below into the Volunteer Guards. Their duty is to support the conventional security agencies in defending their communities. We have cried enough. We will cry no more. Now is time for action.”
Implications
How Ortom’s local security outfit, who does not have access to the same weapons killer herdsmen, who attack with AK-47, can only be imagined for now.
However, the governor may have only hinted at what is to be expected in different states. With the Defense Minister once asking Nigerians to defend themselves and Buhari recently asking the governor to stop crying to him but do something on their own to stop insecurity in their states, it will not be surprised to have different states go the extra mile to defend their people with whatever they can lay hands on.
Ortom’s stand also shows a failure of the government at the centre to counter the raging insecurity across the country.
The problem with an eye for an eye is that the country may be inching towards anarchy.
3. Mailafia’s counsel
A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia on Thursday, June 10 gave President Muhammadu Buhari an option to either protect Nigerians or allow Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho and his colleagues to protect Nigerians from incessant killings by killer herdsmen and other criminals.
Mailafia, who spoke to newsmen in reaction to the recent attack in Igangan, Oyo State said:
“This carnage in Igangan is a failure of state security. You need to come to see the people of Oyo State and commiserate with them on the failure of our federal and state to protect its citizens.
“Mr President, you are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian people voted for you. One of the first Directive Principles of the Nigerian constitution is that the state shall guarantee the security and welfare of her citizens.
“And if you don’t do it, the youth will take over. Sunday Igboho and his team are waiting. Where the government cannot come to their help, they will help themselves. The choice is yours, Mr President.”
Implications
Mailafia speaks the mind of many Nigerians and the frustration they are going through following the failures of governments at all levels to protect their lives and property, which is their primary responsibility.
Nigerians now believe more in illegal warlords for protection than they do the governments that have consistently disappointed them.
4. Lai Mohammed’s grandstanding
Nigeria’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, on Friday blasted the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries that criticised the suspension of the social media giant, Twitter in Nigeria and described them as hypocrites.
Mohammed said while featuring on NTA’s ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ programme:
“The EU has recommended the same thing and Britain only on Wednesday spoke about a law that would regulate social media. This is why I say they are being hypocritical. Like I said, I don’t like commenting on issues that have to do with relations with Nigeria and other countries but clearly speaking, they are being less than honest.
“We have seen so many foreign missions come up to condemn the action of Nigeria. Nigerians, please, make a distinction between countries that are trying to protect their economic and commercial interests from those countries that genuinely love you and talking about freedom of speech and don’t forget for one minute that it is because there is a country called Nigeria that there is freedom of speech.”
Implications
Mohammed’s posturing on the Twitter suspension and attack on international community demanding a reversal, are a likely indication of the determination of the government to suppress freedom of expression in the country.
The action also gives the government away as being only bothered on holding onto power by all means and not about the impact the suspension will have on many Nigerians who make their living from the social media platform.