By Kehinde Okeowo
The recent killing of several farmers in Zabarmari, Jere local government area of Borno state and the kidnapping of 300 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Kastina State, have once again drawn the anger of Nigerians, who are beginning to run out of patience with President Muhammadu Buhari over his poor handling of security in the country. Though the students have been released, the anger subsists. Indeed, the President’s spokespersons, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu have severally attempted damage control by listing the achievements of this government each time his poor handling of security rears its ugly head. But going by demands of various interest groups for the sack of the service chiefs and outright resignation of the president, it is clear the goodwill he had on coming to office, is gradually fizzling.
Lesson from Governor Ambode
Contrary to what a lot of people may think, Akinwunmi Ambode, the former governor of Lagos state, did not lose his bid for second term in office due to lack of performance, but because he failed to prioritize clean environment and road maintenance over infrastructural development or at least handle all simultaneously. The governor embarked on building of ultra-modern bridges, construction of major roads and modern transportation transit points but left the streets littered with garbage and roads riddled with pot-holes. Although, infrastructural development is key to growth and the governor meant well, he forgot the basic principle of first things first, therefore, the dirty environment. Lagosians slept and woke up to the bad roads that got them stressed out and caused them to get home late. That formed a lasting impression on their minds rather than the bridges, roads and transportation hubs. Consequently, unlike Raji Fashola who got the backing of Lagosians when the power that be wanted to stop his second term ambition, Ambode was left in the cold.
Security in Nigeria before and after 2015
The debate on who performed better between the current administration and the one before it will continue to generate opinions. However, when narrowed down to security of lives and properties, even the most ardent supporter of President Buhari such as this writer, cannot but agree that security situation under him has gone south. Although, he performed slightly better than President Goodluck Jonathan in the North East of the country because his administration re-opened roads and schools that were hitherto close closed due to the activities of Boko Haram, dislodged the sect from the territories they held and mutiny among soldiers fighting the insurgents went down drastically, the killings remained high and consistent. Perhaps, the strongest indicator that security situation is worse than it used to be is that the remaining five geo-political zones that were relatively peaceful are now riddled with banditry as in the in the North West and North Central and kidnapping and armed robberies in the South.
Achievements of Buhari Administration
Although critics of this administration may argue that the level of hardship in the country and the worsening exchange rate and some other economic indicators cannot make people see whatever progress this administration claimed it has made, evidence on ground suggests otherwise. The construction of the Second Niger Bridge for instance has reached an advance stage despite being abandoned by previous administrations. The Abuja –Kaduna rail was completed and Lagos- Ibadan rail built, a lot of airports were renovated and put in better working condition and the administration built or is building several roads across the country. It also approved the implementation of better pay for police officers and teachers while the performance of INEC in the last two elections in Edo and Ondo states is another indication of progress. Despite these and other achievements, insecurity, poverty and hopelessness is still evidently pervasive across the land.
ENDSARS movement and other sins
The recent protest of Nigerian youths, which came about as a result of the unprofessional conducts of men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of Nigerian Police is another pointer to the fact that this administration went to sleep. Despite the frequent and continuous accusations of extortion, incessant harassment of Nigerians and unwarranted killing of innocent citizens, the top echelon of the police remained lackadaisical until it got out of hand. For most Nigerians, the rising poverty level and cost of living, the skewed selection of political office holders by the President, lack of strategic depth in handling both the economic and security challenges and the inability of this administration to slow down corruption, which is the major bane of our socio-political and economic life are part of the sins of this administration.
People’s verdict.
It is absolute lack of wisdom to continue doing the same thing over and over but expect a different outcome. Therefore, the call for the sack of current service chiefs is justified. In fact, we ought to go beyond that and vigorously shake up our entire security apparatus to awaken it from its slumber. It is also pertinent for the President to know that the reason men surrender their sovereignty to the state is for the state to secure their lives and property. Therefore, provision of security remains the most fundamental basis any government will be judged, more so as the president is a retired army general and security, considered his area of core competence. Consequently, just like Governor Ambode, who left the substructure and concentrated on superstructure, Nigerians are unlikely to see any significant performance or progress until the basic requirement of governance which is tackling insecurity head-on and bringing back relative peace and tranquility to the country is achieved by the government. Given what obtains today, Nigerians will continue to question President Buhari’s ability to govern and provide dividends of democracy.
