By Chukwudi Nweje, Lagos
Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his change of security service chiefs.
In a message signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Jare Ajayi Wednesday, Afenifere expressed optimism that the security situation that the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari failed to make better would improve.
He said, “Several efforts were made and resources running into trillions spent, yet the menace ‘refused’ to go away. The expectation that the coming of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired army general, would stem the tide of taking over from former President Goodluck Jonathan turned out to be an unmet expectation as security breaches got worsened under Buhari.”
Ajayi noted that with the change of guards and the charge by Tinubu that all security agencies must work to achieve one single purpose, the security situation is bound to get better even as the security of lives and property would be guaranteed.
He said, “The new security chiefs are expected to come up with fresh ideas and fresh approaches that will crush all obstacles to the safety and security of Nigerians and their property at the earliest possible time. Such must not just be a quick fix but a situation that would be long-lasting, salvage the country and reset it into a safe haven in an enduring manner. In addition to working together, those on the frontline of security engagements must be ‘well-fed, well-kitted, motivated and given all that they require to discharge their responsibilities.”
Afenifere also urged Tinubu to quickly fulfil his promise to provide the security agencies with all they need to deliver on their responsibilities.
It also commended the President on the changes in the Federal Government agencies, especially those tasked with the security of Nigeria and noted that the new changes would salvage and reset the country.
He further said, “The damage that insecurity has caused, and is causing in Nigeria has presented Nigeria as though the country is at war. This war is not only physical; it is also psychological and attitudinal. It has resulted in millions of Nigerians living in a condition that is not only debilitating but elicits pity.
“The spate of insecurity has led to the untimely deaths of thousands, imperilled hundreds of thousands of lives and destroyed businesses running into billions if not trillions of naira thus aggravating the poverty indices in the country. “Incidentally, the president actually said that poverty and insecurity were priority areas for his administration and that he would do all that is required to address them. He gave this assurance while having a conversation with European Council President, Mr Charles Michel.”
The organisation charged President Tinubu to put in place measures to address poverty, which it said fuels insecurity.
Ajayi added, “President Tinubu attested to the sorry state of the country’s security architecture during his maiden meeting with the 36 state governors on June 7, in Abuja, where he charged the governors to eliminate poverty.
“Because the poor are in the majority and most vulnerable, they suffer the most. But, in line with the assertion by the former American President, John F. Kennedy, that ‘If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich’, both the poor and the rich in Nigeria became victims of seemingly contrived security and safety breaches.”