Insurgency and the Audacity of the Terrorists
By Bello Shehu Adamu
AREWA AGENDA – Based on my worldview, development will continue to elope in a society that does not have any semblance of peace. In other words, no development without peace and no peace without development.
The Home of Peace in Nigeria (Borno State) has became fraught with insurgency for more than ten years by the so called jihadist Boko Haram, the economy of state lagged, the physical and mental health and well being of the inhabitants of the state has declined and the root cause of the insurgency is yet to be determined. Worse still, the Nigerian Government is at loss whether to totally crush the insurgents or not.
Recently, there are three attacks in less than three months directly on the convoy of the executive Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum FNSE mni on his way to Baga, with the most recent leading to the death of about 30 security personnel.
With such daredevil audacity by the insurgents, I believe there are saboteurs in fighting the insurgency across the Northeastern region for the interest of what they are gaining out of the funds spent towards the lingering war to end the brutal killings of innocent lives and young individuals with supposed bright future that might have been cut shut by the crisis.
During the first attack on the Governor’s convoy, many were shocked and total condemnation followed the incidence. But the second which happened recently on 25th September, 2020 clearly shows that if care is not taken and the Governor continue to act based on his current tactics and strategy of visiting dangerous places, the expensive life of the extraordinary and committed Governor is close to study soil science in the grave which we are unconditionally not ready to sacrifice yet.
Yes, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed our brothers and sisters in the key position to bring the challenging situation of insurgency to an end, both the Chief of Army Staff, COAS and the National Security Adviser, NSA who happened to both be from the same state where the hell is happening now, tend to be more ceremonial heads than gallant soldiers working to make tangible contribution towards the end of what we believe is set to destabilize the region by all means.
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The commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in person is minimal in fighting the insurgency as he is all aware the appointees are not doing the needful. Majority of his appointees in Northern Nigeria are not playing a vital role to represent him in their various states, and I argue if not because of blind imitation of Northerners who believe in his capacity as the only focal person to change Nigeria, the appointees cannot buy him the second tenure. So President Muhammadu Buhari should work for himself tirelessly for his leadership reputation.
If Idris Deby of Chad Republic can frown face and dawn the uniform to decisively dealt with Boko Haram terrorist, I see no reason why President Muhammadu Buhari will remain in the Presidential Villa meeting with the people that are not ready to make his promises fulfilled; enjoying the privilege of the secured family and friends while the less privileged are suffering enough to survive.
The fighting of insurgency is not singlehandedly supposed to be done by only northerners, it’s a task to all Nigerians and pitiful politicians that need to be endorsed by the people of the country. If APC and it’s members continue to fold their arms and let the saboteurs continue sabotaging the peace of the country, 2023 will be the year of locust to them without cultivating what they planted. Buhari is done with his political career and is not looking for anyone to clean up his mess as a successor.
One of the immediate factor why Goodluck Ebele Jonathan lost his Presidential seat is Boko Haram insurgency, which we accused PDP to be the cause of the insurgency itself. Now not only insurgency is rampaging the country, but economic hardship and extreme poverty with artificial hunger created by few individuals. This is enough to make the APC lost 2023 election.
As a matter of fact, Nigerians are tired of political propaganda of the ruling party APC, and the party lacks leadership charisma and discipline which led to intra party crisis, dissolution of National Working Committee and formation of Caretaker Committee led by Mai Mala Buni. The decamping of Obaseki in Edo and subsequently securing of his seat back in the opposition PDP is a typical example.
B.S. Adamu (Maude)
Public Policy Analyst and Advocate of Good Governance
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of young writers from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.
