ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately convoke a national conference to address the worsening insecurity in the country rather than offering platitudes any time members of the Boko Haram sect strike, snuffing out lives out of innocent Nigerians.

In a statement issued Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the government must admit its failures against terror and as such must adopt a completely new strategy “if we are not all to be consumed by the raging violence.”

It, however, condemned in very strong terms, the recent needless blood letting in Kogi, Sokoto Yobe and Borno States.

“Nigerians today are not safe in their homes, offices, roads or places of worship. Terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbers and arsonists have taken complete control of the country and all the government can offer are platitudes,” the party lamented.

The party called on Jonathan to free himself from self-serving advisers and reach out to all leaders across the nation irrespective of political loyalties, religious or ethnic prejudices to find an urgent solution to this scourge. It also called on all leaders, political ethnic or religious to refrain from inflammatory statements as some of these pronouncements have done nothing but fanned the ember of discord.

According to the party, it has watched with utter amazement the pitiable and superficial approach of government to foster religious harmony, tolerance and peace.

“Until and when the President invites people of all shades and opinions from all over the country to tackle the root causes of insecurity, a thousand road shows or breaking of fast by Christian prelates and Muslim imams will not bring us near peaceful co-existence,” the party said.