A former President of Nigeria’s Senate, Bukola Saraki says the country’s President Muhammadu Buhari has been overwhelmed by the worsening insecurity, one which the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government can’t handle alone.
Saraki, a former governor of Kwara state called on the Nigerian leader to take the bull by the horn and act quickly to stem the tide of violence that is threatening to tear the country apart.
The former Senate president in a statement on Tuesday bemoaned the numerous unacceptable acts of violence, kidnapping, terrorism, and the systematic breakdown of law and order in many parts of the nation, saying “this should not be so”.
He said: “It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government need help. They have been overwhelmed by the situation and they sure need assistance from all. Thus, I urge Mr. President to seek help wherever it can be given. This matter has gone beyond what the government can handle alone. The President should know that calling for help in our present situation is not a sign of weakness.
“At this point, words and press statements are not enough. We need to see action. I appeal to Mr President to take the bull by the horn. He should act to stem the tide of this violence threatening to tear the country apart.”
And just as he did in January, Saraki is asking President Buhari to bring together all former Presidents and heads of state, serving and former chief justices, serving and former presiding officers of the National Assembly, serving and former heads of security agencies, traditional rulers with relevant experience, leaders of the private sector, development partners, friends of Nigeria in the international community and all others who can help in finding solutions to the problem at hand.
He said: “The meeting must hold expeditiously and must be followed by immediate actions. I know there are many people who believe that the fact that this suggestion is coming from a source outside government is a good reason for the President to ignore it. I think the attitude this time around must be different. This is definitely not a time for partisanship or for people to play politics with the lives of the citizenry and the future of the country.
“Security of lives and properties is the first and most important duty of government and it must be taken seriously. My suggestion here is an appeal made out of genuine concern with what is going on in our dear country.”
Mr Saraki also called on leaders of the ruling APC to do all that is necessary to help the President Buhari administration to get solutions to the national crisis.
“This is a time for them to be part of the search for the solution and getting the government to act swiftly in implementing good ideas that will return the country to normalcy and the path of genuine development,” he said.
By Abel Ejikeme
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