Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over the increase in killings of innocent Nigerians and other criminal activities in the country.
Speaking at an event on Friday in Abeokuta, Obasanjo noted that criminality is the order of the day in the country under the Buhari administration.
According to Obasanjo, reforming the federating units will make the country more secure, stable, developed, and united.
He said “Let me lay more emphasis on the issue of security, which in itself is serious enough to make restructuring imperative. The South-West governors cried out and devised Amotekun as a solution or part-solution. We have yet to see how successfully that will be operated. Other zones are clamouring for a solution because in no state and in no geopolitical zone is life and property safe and secure.
“Criminality is the order of the day. And it cuts across the entire nation. Insecurity is one issue of commonality among Nigerians, no matter their tribe, language, religion, geographical location, gender, age or social position.’’
He recalled that the Northern Elders’ Forum, through its spokesperson, Akeem Baba Ahmed, had declared President Buhari a failure on account of persistent insecurity within the nation.
He stated, “I leave out economy which is in the doldrums and fighting corruption where you see more heat than light and which is festering like a bad sore. That, to me, is what reform of federating units and restructuring is all about and not about break-up or disintegration.
“Insecurity brought about by widespread criminality of Boko Haram, insurgents, herdsmen/farmers conflict, terrorists, bandits, armed robbers, militants, kidnappers, abductors and human traffickers is a new phenomenon that is ravaging the entire country.’’
According to Obasanjo, it is evident that no ethnic group or geopolitical zone and even the Fulanis in Nigeria are satisfied with the present situation in spite of the President being a Fulani man.
“I am, of course, discounting invidious and irredeemable Fulani fundamentalists and hegemonists. Federal security architecture, as organised and operated by the present government, cannot give any individual or group hope, let alone assurance of security within Nigeria,’’ Obasanjo noted.
I am worried over the sudden rise of armed bandits and cattle rustlers in Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna during and after the 2019 general elections. I think we need to know from those caught the people who supplied them ammunition used to carry out this nefarious act.