•Say Nigeria now a killing field
•APC: No one should doubt Buhari’s capacity
Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Governors of the Democratic Party (PDP) have again reiterated their stand on the need for the federal government and the National Assembly to fast track the modification of the relevant portions of the 1999 Constitution on national security and the Electoral Act.
This is as the National Caucus of the party, yesterday, described Nigeria as a killing field and thereforecalled on the federal government to act fast before things get out of hands.
But the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said while the administration of President Buhari shared the concerns of well-meaning Nigerians, including that of the PDP governors, no one should doubt the capacity of the President to end the security crisis facing the country.
The PDP governors and the National Caucus of the party spoke after separate meetings Saturday morning in Abuja
The PDP governors, in a statement by their chairman, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, suggestedthat the federal government should consider devolving the country’s security forces in order to checkmate the current security breaches across the country.
The Sokoto State governor made the call again early Saturday, when the party held its National Caucus meeting in Abuja.
The same call was made by the party a couple of weeks ago, when it met in Makurdi, Benue State.
Yesterday’s meeting was summoned by the Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus to discuss the crucial issue of national security with a view to coming up with some ideas and suggestions to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led national government.
According to Tambuwal, “the Makurdi meeting advised the federal government and the National Assembly to possibly expedite the Constitutional amendment that concerns national security and the Electoral Act.”
He urged the ruling government to give “expeditious hearing and passage” to the two issues, assuring that “all the governors of the states are on the same page… and “will also work with all the state Houses of Assembly to achieve the decentralisation of the security forces of Nigeria.”
“This is key and fundamental in addressing the challenges we are facing,” he said, noting that when seven of them (governors) met President Muhammadu Buhari recently, they appealed to him to “recall the country’s ex-servicemen that are still capable and can contribute to solving the problem of insecurity.”
Governor Tambuwal said it was obvious that the “government of APC in power is clearly bereft of ideas on how to go about addressing and salvaging our nation.
“Clearly, the administration has failed in its number one duty of providing security to individuals and citizens of this country; and their property, as constitutionally prescribed by our Constitution. From Lagos to Maiduguri, from Uyo to Sokoto, the story is the same. So many lives were being lost callously to these criminals,” he emphasised.
He, however, suggested that Nigerians “must all rise to the occasion. We must all come together, put our hands on deck irrespective of party or political differences to save our nation.”
A communique by the PDP National Caucus read by its national chairman, Uche Secondus, stated that Nigeria has become a killing field as no one is safe again.
The National Caucus of the party met on Friday night till the early morning of Saturday to appraise the worrisome security situation in the country. The meeting, which had in attendance elected National Officers of the party, Governors, PDP leaders in the National Assembly and other stakeholders, focused entirely on the worsening security situation in the country.
The communique stated: “On loss of lives and property in Nigeria: The meeting noted that Nigeria is fast descending into anarchy, with security of lives and property practically non-existent.
“This state of anarchy is so widespread that every state in the country is affected. Effective policing and security is no longer guaranteed even for ordinary citizens and for day to day affairs in Nigeria.
“Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, rape, arson, mindless murder of citizens and even security agents is ravaging the land. Criminals have taken complete control of most aspects of our lives, unchecked. Government seems powerless to act. Nigeria has become one giant killing field. The state is helpless and unable to solve the problem. The presence of government is no longer felt. Everyone is on his own. It is as if Nigeria has no government again.
“The meeting also noted the unrestricted expansion of Boko Haram into newer and inner territories close to the seat of government in Abuja and expressed alarm at the capitulation of the security agencies and President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC government. In the view of the meeting, President Buhari has failed the people at a time of grave national crises,” the national caucus of the PDP stated.
The national caucus said it would on Monday address a world press conference to release its suggestions and recommendations on how to address insecurity in Nigeria
Both meetings were attended by PDP governors and other chieftains of the party, like Senator Bukola Saraki, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, all former governors and members of the National Assembly among others.
Meanwhile, responding to the PDP, APC in a statement by the National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator James Akpanudoedehe, said the ruling party noted the communique issued by governors of the PDP on recent security incidents recorded in some parts of the country.
“The party and government definitely share concerns of well-meaning Nigerians, including PDP governors. However, let no one be in doubt as to the urgency and capacity of the President Muhammadu Buhari government to end the recent security incidents.
“We urge stakeholders and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians to avoid politicising or being simplistic about the security situation. At a time like this, our duty to our nation as good citizens should outweigh political party colorations,” Akpanudoedehe stated.
He, however, added that as those who receive constant security briefings, PDP governors should know that divisive rhetoric could only embolden the criminals, who were carrying out the cowardly acts.
The secretary reiterated that this was not the time to play to the gallery, but sit down to find real and lasting solutions, saying the latter is what the President Buhari administration is doing.
He added: “While high-level investigations are ongoing to fish out sponsors and perpetrators of the security incidents, President Buhari has already given marching orders to our security services to check the security incidents. We pray the investigations should not reveal conspiracies by the opposition to weaken the government in furtherance of their desperate 2023 aspirations.”
The ruling party however expressed confidence that the PDP governors and indeed all stakeholders would cooperate and support the ongoing efforts to quickly and permanently end the security situation.
