By Dickson Okafor
Christopher B. Sarki is the National Chairman, Coalition to Strengthen Democracy for Good Governance Initiative (CSDGGI). In this interview, the former Route Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) called for more funds for the Nigeria military to combat insecurity in the country among other issues.
Uk court has ordered the return of N8.2billion as part of Nigeria’s stolen assets which was earmarked for arms purchase. Don’t you think if this amount is used to purchase arms, the Nigeria military will overcome the challenge it faces and come up with strategy to end insecurity?
Yes, there is need for the military to re-strategize which the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa is doing right now. And if N8.2billion is actually used to purchase arms for the military, there will be an improvement in Nigeria’s warfare. Meanwhile, let me use this opportunity to sympathize with the families of those killed in Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State recently. What happened is an unfortunate disaster that took the lives of many innocent citizens. The Nigeria Army apologized to the families of the decease dand those that sustained various degrees of injuries. I commend the Vice President, Kashim Shettima and the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa for visiting victims of Tudun Biri which marked a significant departure from the approach of their predecessors. The CDS said he should be held responsible over whatever action the military took and after investigation, Nigerians will know that the Armed forces is not partial in its operation. He configured the military intelligence and by so doing, some of the soldiers that are giving information to Boko Haram have been apprehended. Also, the recent killing in Plateau State is man’s inhumanity to man. President Tinubu has ordered that the perpetrators must be fished out and I’m confident that they won’t go unpunished. It is worthy to note that the Armed Forces are overwhelmed because they are not given the necessary tools to operate effectively. And this was one of the challenges the CDS mentioned when he was defending the military budget 2024 before the joint Committee of the National Assembly. No general has ever opened up like the Gen Musa as he narrated how the Nigerian military has in recent time tamed the bandits. Conscience as we all know can only be nurtured by truth. He was eloquent, brave and well articulated in his presentation before the nation’s lawmakers and many Nigerians believed him. CDS Musa is the silent achiever and proffered solutions to what should be done such as training and retraining of the military. As it stands now, over 200 bandits have been killed by the military.
But with the recent kidnap of innocent citizens in Abuja, what would you say is the cause of the continuous attack of innocent citizens by bandits especially in FCT?
It has attracted great concern as President Tinubu summoned the Service Chiefs, and other security operatives on how to tame bandits and kidnappers in the country especially the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Tinubu said we won’t rest until agents of darkness are eliminated and he gave them a marching order to face insecurity. Also, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike summoned emergency security meeting all geared towards ending terrorists attack in Nigeria and Abuja. So far, huge ransoms were paid by victims to their abductors. In the same vein, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun held a crucial meeting with the Force Management Team and the Tactical Squads Commanders to address the escalating cases of kidnapping in Bwari Area Council in the FCT and other parts of the country. So, it is an unfortunate situation to see innocent citizens being kidnapped in the nation’s capital, Abuja and across the country. I sympathise with the affected families and I have confidence that the military will rescue the victims. However, it is painful to hear that terrorists and bandits are killing our people with impunity, thereby trying to make certain communities in the North Central ungovernable. In case of the Plateau attack, the troop responded to the call but before they could get there, the havoc has been committed. This is because of distance and the poor condition of the roads leading to the place. As we all know, the Nigeria military is inadequately funded in order to motivate them and Chief Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa stated it clearly during his budget Defence . For instance, in America they produce almost all their weapons yet, go and see the huge amount the government budget for defence. Check the rate of dollar in the country today and compare it with the amount Nigeria government budgeted for Defence in 2024 in the country we import all military hardware. But in spite of all these challenges the Nigeria military has lived up expectation with the recent revelation by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba while giving update on the operations of the military in 2023 recently at the Defence Headquarter (DHQ) in Abuja. So, the CDS has assured Nigerians that very soon, terrorism and banditry will be a thing of the past as the military has resolved to eliminate them.
The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu following controversies about financial transactions she authorized in her ministry has generated mixed reactions with the PDP demanding Edu’s sack and prosecution, isn’t this act a discredit to this administration?
It is an allegation and the suspension of the minister is in line with President Tinubu’s avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians. However, the President has directed the anti-graft commission to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies there under. So, government has waded in to unravel details of alleged financial mismanagement by the ministry and until the probe is concluded, I won’t pass judgment. It is not a discredit to the administration that was inaugurated few months ago. However, it is against the law to pronounce or pass judgment on a serving minister or any government official over an allegation without investigation to know if she actually mismanaged public funds within the few months she was appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. So, the call for her to be sacked and prosecuted by PDP is not welcomed at this moment. I call on President Tinubu to ensure Edu is given a fair hearing. Let’s wait for the outcome of the probe before we crucify her.
The Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo who was also implicated in the Beta Edu saga failed to show up in the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) where he is invited for clarification, isn’t his action against the law?
It is unlawful for a government official to turn down invitation from an anti-graft commission. I don’t think Tunji-Ojo deliberately failed to honour the invitation from CCB as he promised to be at CCB. Meanwhile, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo should be given a fair hearing and that is what the constitution says.
What is your take on President Tinubu’s slash of international and domestic travel delegation by 60 percent in order to cut cost of governance?
It is long overdue and in a major cost-cutting measure, President Bola Tinubu has approved a slash in the size of official delegations for foreign and domestic trips by up to 60 percent with immediate effect. And this shows that Tinubu is a listening leader and have decided to heed to the call of Nigerians to cut- cost of governance which is huge. Take a Look at the economic situation of the country which has worsened and has compelled everyone and families to make financial adjustment to beat the hardship brought by fuel subsidy removal. So, one of the steps economic experts have advocated is cutting-cost of governance and thank God the government has accepted the idea. With the way things are in Nigeria, a reasonable government has no option but to key into the ongoing global economic adjustment.
Mind you, this is coming a month after the controversy that trailed the Federal Government spending of at least a whopping N2.7billion to sponsor delegates that attended the United Nations Annual Climate Summit, COP28, in Dubai and Nigeria’s delegation was 1,411. Isn’t that a waste of Nigeria’s commonwealth? The expectation has shifted to the other organs of government such as the legislature, Judiciary and Ministries, department and agencies to also cut-cost. For instance, the amount spent by the National Assembly is huge when compared to other climes. Even the judiciary is also expected to follow suit so that there will be enough fund to run the country. The step President Tinubu has taken is an example of what the President of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives should do as a matter of urgent importance. They should reduce their convoy and the number of their legislative aides because it is too huge and costly.
The PDP 2023 Presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar had once again declared that the opposition parties must form a genuine coalition without which it will be difficult to dislodge APC in 2027; can this be actualised?
The call to form a genuine coalition by the former vice President Atiku Abubakar is welcome development if the opposition political parties will key in to form a formidable force that will give the ruling APC a run for their money. But I doubt if it will stand going by the present political permutation. As it appears right now, the people of South-East has made a strong political statement in the last Presidential election with the strong support they gave to the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi. So, it will be difficult if not impossible for Peter Obi to step down for Atiku in 2027. And Atiku also enjoyed the overwhelming support of the people in the North during the last election and the North won’t agree for Atiku to step down for Peter Obi. And it is obvious that the G5 governors won’t work for the PDP under Atiku as the President of the coalition in 2027 just as it happened in 2023 Presidential election. So, after all said and done, I foresee Atiku and Peter Obi share PDP votes in 2027 which may give President Bola Tinubu another victory. However, the proposition of a genuine coalition will work and give APC a run for their money only if Atiku decides to forgo his Presidential ambition in 2027 and throw his weight behind a popular candidate. And unless that is done, the game plan will be dead on arrival, hence no genuine coalition or merger of the opposition parties will stand in 2027 Presidential election if Atiku insists on being the Presidential candidate. So, it is left for Atiku to walk the talk.
There was jubilation in Kano State following the Supreme Court judgment which reinstated the governor, Abba Yusuf as winner of the last governorship poll?
The judgment of the Supreme Court on the governorship elections in some states was welcomed by the electorate. You could see the mammoth crowd that welcomed Governor Abbas Yusuf in Kano State from Abuja after the Supreme Court judgment which showed that the people voted for him and they are happy with the apex court ruling. There was fear that if the judgment had been contrary, Kano State would have boiled and it would have led to uprising within and outside the state. But this was averted by the judgment.