By Aliko Ibrahim El-Rasheed
Nigeria will witness yet another transition era from a civilian President to another civilian President come May 29, 2023, which will later culminate into another legislative assembly called the 10th National Assembly after the successful completion of the Presidential, National Assembly, State Governors and House of Assembly elections conducted on the 25th of February and 18th March 2023 respectively.
Following the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 16th Nigeria’s President, Nigeria’s atmosphere was shrouded with a series of protests and petitions regarding the outcome of the elections. Also, there was a series of verbal confrontations among the serving and retired politicians as well as other public and political analysts in expressing their satisfaction and dissatisfaction about the election outcome.
Shortly after his declaration, while keenly listening to his acceptance speech, I completely became relaxed when he mentioned……
‘’ To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former Governor Kwankwaso, former Governor Obi, and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign. Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance.
‘’There are divisions amongst us that should not exist. Many people are uncertain, angry, and hurt; I reach out to every one of you. Let the better aspects of our humanity step forward at this fateful moment. Let us begin to heal and bring calm to our nation.’’
I am sure the President-Elect has started showing Nigerians and the whole world that he can stick to his words. A few days after his speech he extended his hand to anybody who is willing to contribute to the betterment of our dear country. And to the surprise of all, the President-elect travelled for a two-day working visit to commission some projects executed by the major opposition party in River state. (PDP).
Recently, he hoisted the former Kano State Governor and discussed issues that will be beneficial to Nigeria. Just to mention but a few. All these were achieved a few days after his declaration by the INEC as the President-elect.
Now that the inauguration ceremony is fast approaching, what is the President-elect’s plan going by the enormous challenges facing the country in terms of security, corruption, economic wrangling, poverty, youth unemployment, socio-economic issues, and power just to mention but a few.
Another big challenge that the President will face is the right people to be appointed in assisting him to achieve his mandate. I am sure there are dozens of lists being submitted for positions as Ministers, Special Advisers, Head of Agencies and Parastatals, Ambassadors, etc.
To achieve all these, the President must ensure that the right people are appointed on utmost merit not based on ethnic, tribal, or religious inclinations but based on competencies, teamwork, integrity, and professionalism.
Now to the President-elect, sir! I will limit myself to the issue of Security as my area of expertise. Mr President-elect, sir! I am sure you are fully aware and briefed on the many challenges the electorates are currently facing as some of them were already mentioned above. My appeal to you is, over 200 million+ souls are looking up to you on how you can make their lives better and that of the future generation.
Security is one of the country’s major challenges spanning from Boko Haram (JAS, ISWAP, Al Bakoura etc) in the Northeast, Banditry, and other Non-State Armed Groups with linkage to terrorism in the Northwest, Agitations, IPOB, and the likes in the Southeast. Abduction, Kidnapping, Tribal and Ethnic violence, and a host of so many acts of traditional crimes.
Millions of people were displaced and IDP camps littered almost half of the Nigerian states of the federation. To achieve all these, competent and session professional folk need to be given the mandate. People of caliber with robust security intelligence and professional expertise and above all the person should be free from corruption allegations. Somebody who has the country at heart not to enrich himself from the public funds put under his care.
Our dear incoming President, Kudos to our tireless Military and other security agencies, but the current strategies in dealing with the numerous security challenges need to be closely looked into and polished. For security reasons, I will be compelled to halt here. But a lot of work is awaiting you and your support and commitment will change everything.
The primary responsibility of any government as enshrined in the constitution is to ensure the safety and security of its citizenry. Safety and security are the bedrock of any societal development and our dear country Nigeria case cannot be an exception.
Most of the major factors that assist in escalating our current challenges are poverty, youth unemployment, bad governance, and corruption. If all these factors can be tackled, I assure you that, we will witness zero or little incidences of security issues in our country. People are still living in abject poverty and our youth are loitering on the street without anything doing. Immorality is the order of the day, yahoo boys spreading like wildfire, sponsored assassinations’, and Illegal transportation of drugs and other illicit drugs are now the only business venture of our teeming youth.
To achieve all these, the incoming President needs to put the right peg into the right hole. Put our dear country first and make our people comfortable so that normal business both National and International will resume. Let people move from one point to another irrespective of time without fear of being attacked, kidnapped, abducted, or killed.
On assumption for duty, you need to immediately constitute the LGAs, States, and National Dialogue of stakeholders with members drawn from the traditional rulers, head of faith based organisation, security agencies, and elder statemen. Such should be replicated in the state, while the National body should include the members of the National Council of State.
Other sectorial aspects should also follow suit with either Ministers or Head of Agencies as Chairman. If these are implemented, there will be a free flow of information, and issues of concern will be addressed with zero or little bureaucratic bottleneck.
Above is my little contribution specifically on the security aspect and I hope other well-meaning Nigerians will do the same for the betterment and well-being of our fellow Nigerians to start experiencing a better life and go about their normal businesses.
Long Live Our President-Elect
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Aliko Ibrahim El-Rasheed, Pjsc B.sc HD PGD M.sc (Ph.D Inview)Security and Counterterrorism Analyst is a retired Flight Lieutenant
