There are reports that security agencies have made some arrests in connection with the bombing of the United Nations office is Abuja last week. In the last few days, the Inspector-General of Police has made statements to the media on the on-going investigations, and has met with the Diplomatic Community to give them assurances on their safety. Then a spokesperson of the State Security Service briefed the media, and announced that it has evidence that the two arrested person have links with al-Qaeda, and that it is looking for a third suspect. The SSS spokesperson also confirmed that precise intelligence was obtained by her organization to the effect that some Boko Haram members were planning to attack unspecified targets in Abuja. Yet the attack took place, which says much about the capacity of our security agencies.
Beyond the televised appearance of President Jonathan at the scene of the attack, and the comments he made promising to apprehend the bombers, Nigerians have not seen their President take charge of the events following the bombing, or take other steps to assure them of their safety. The bombing of the U.N Building in Abuja, which followed the bombing of the Police Headquarters a few months ago have created genuine fear among citizens that they are not adequately protected. The fact that even the bombs that went off on October 1st last year, when Nigerians celebrated 50 years of independence has its prime suspect being tried in far away South Africa makes the perception of Nigerians regarding their safety and security even more worrisome.
Perhaps it is a matter of personal style for President Jonathan to allow heads of security agencies or their spokespersons to speak to the nation on major developments relating to national security. And as matters of national security go, they do not come bigger than the bombing of the UN building and the Police headquarters in Abuja. They become even more threatening when they are claimed by a group already well known, and which promises even more bombs on Nigerians and the international community. On occasions when the sense of security of a whole nation is threatened and assaulted on the type of scales we are witnessing, Nigerians expect to see their President speak to them directly. This is what leaders do. While they may leave matters of details to heads of security agencies, they put themselves forward to assume responsibility for coordinating major investigations and reassure the population that government is serious about their security. But President Jonathan has chosen to stay in the background, and this is not giving Nigerians the type of assurances they need.
Nigerians need a strong, confident and visible leadership, particularly at this time when their safety and security is being threatened from many quarters. They need a leadership which should assure them that the threats being posed by Boko Haram, and, as is being speculated, its partners in al-Qaeda will be contained. They need to hear from the President the broad outlines of his strategy to deal with this problem, and not just routine condemnations and threats to expose them. They need to hear of progress towards finding both short and long-term solutions.
Beyond the threats being posed by Boko Haram, Nigerians need to see their President take a lead in finding a solution to the festering problem in Plateau State. The last few days have reminded the nation that this problem is very much with it; and it will not go away by being ignored. Unless it is the case that the President and the Federal Government have given up this terrible security and political cancer that is in Plateau, either as beyond solution or as entirely the business of Plateau State Government to solve or live with, Nigerians need to see what action the President is taking to help. Kaduna State, the home State of the Vice President is also still substantially under threat of periodic skirmishes which have potentials to escalate. There is a major challenge requiring statesmanship and vision to deal with the long-term solution in this State which is living a garrisoned existence. What happens in Kaduna tends to affect what happens in the rest of Nigeria, and this is the reason why President Jonathan must show an active interest in working with the government and the people of the State to find a genuine solution to the current situation. The Federal and State Governments need to know that deploying soldiers and policemen across the length and breadth of the State alone cannot guarantee long term and genuine peace and security. A good example of the failure to find solution beyond deploying soldiers is being played out in Kafanchan, where curfew has been imposed again as a result of some fracas.
President Jonathan should also be actively visible in comforting and condoling hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who have suffered devastating losses, including many lives, in the recent floods ravaging the country. The people of Lagos and Oyo States, the citizens of Kano and Zamfara States and many other communities will draw much comfort from their President if he were to visit and comfort them over their losses. If there are areas where the Federal Government should help, Nigerians need to hear it from their President, not agency heads.
Politics is all about affecting the lives of citizens. Great leaders combine an acute sense of occasion with genuine compassion for the citizens who look up to them to lead them through trying times as well as good times. President Jonathan’s behind-the-scene and Abuja-based governance strategy is depriving him of an opportunity to connect with Nigerians. It is also depriving Nigerians of the right to receive the type of service from a President they elected only a few months ago to serve them. Self interest alone should dictate that President Jonathan makes himself visible and demonstrate that he is in control. Gaps which exist between leaders and citizens are often exploited by interests which harm both. Nigerians cannot suffer anymore harm, and if they have to, their leader must be seen to be personally with them.
Beyond the televised appearance of President Jonathan at the scene of the attack, and the comments he made promising to apprehend the bombers, Nigerians have not seen their President take charge of the events following the bombing, or take other steps to assure them of their safety. The bombing of the U.N Building in Abuja, which followed the bombing of the Police Headquarters a few months ago have created genuine fear among citizens that they are not adequately protected. The fact that even the bombs that went off on October 1st last year, when Nigerians celebrated 50 years of independence has its prime suspect being tried in far away South Africa makes the perception of Nigerians regarding their safety and security even more worrisome.
Perhaps it is a matter of personal style for President Jonathan to allow heads of security agencies or their spokespersons to speak to the nation on major developments relating to national security. And as matters of national security go, they do not come bigger than the bombing of the UN building and the Police headquarters in Abuja. They become even more threatening when they are claimed by a group already well known, and which promises even more bombs on Nigerians and the international community. On occasions when the sense of security of a whole nation is threatened and assaulted on the type of scales we are witnessing, Nigerians expect to see their President speak to them directly. This is what leaders do. While they may leave matters of details to heads of security agencies, they put themselves forward to assume responsibility for coordinating major investigations and reassure the population that government is serious about their security. But President Jonathan has chosen to stay in the background, and this is not giving Nigerians the type of assurances they need.
Nigerians need a strong, confident and visible leadership, particularly at this time when their safety and security is being threatened from many quarters. They need a leadership which should assure them that the threats being posed by Boko Haram, and, as is being speculated, its partners in al-Qaeda will be contained. They need to hear from the President the broad outlines of his strategy to deal with this problem, and not just routine condemnations and threats to expose them. They need to hear of progress towards finding both short and long-term solutions.
Beyond the threats being posed by Boko Haram, Nigerians need to see their President take a lead in finding a solution to the festering problem in Plateau State. The last few days have reminded the nation that this problem is very much with it; and it will not go away by being ignored. Unless it is the case that the President and the Federal Government have given up this terrible security and political cancer that is in Plateau, either as beyond solution or as entirely the business of Plateau State Government to solve or live with, Nigerians need to see what action the President is taking to help. Kaduna State, the home State of the Vice President is also still substantially under threat of periodic skirmishes which have potentials to escalate. There is a major challenge requiring statesmanship and vision to deal with the long-term solution in this State which is living a garrisoned existence. What happens in Kaduna tends to affect what happens in the rest of Nigeria, and this is the reason why President Jonathan must show an active interest in working with the government and the people of the State to find a genuine solution to the current situation. The Federal and State Governments need to know that deploying soldiers and policemen across the length and breadth of the State alone cannot guarantee long term and genuine peace and security. A good example of the failure to find solution beyond deploying soldiers is being played out in Kafanchan, where curfew has been imposed again as a result of some fracas.
President Jonathan should also be actively visible in comforting and condoling hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who have suffered devastating losses, including many lives, in the recent floods ravaging the country. The people of Lagos and Oyo States, the citizens of Kano and Zamfara States and many other communities will draw much comfort from their President if he were to visit and comfort them over their losses. If there are areas where the Federal Government should help, Nigerians need to hear it from their President, not agency heads.
Politics is all about affecting the lives of citizens. Great leaders combine an acute sense of occasion with genuine compassion for the citizens who look up to them to lead them through trying times as well as good times. President Jonathan’s behind-the-scene and Abuja-based governance strategy is depriving him of an opportunity to connect with Nigerians. It is also depriving Nigerians of the right to receive the type of service from a President they elected only a few months ago to serve them. Self interest alone should dictate that President Jonathan makes himself visible and demonstrate that he is in control. Gaps which exist between leaders and citizens are often exploited by interests which harm both. Nigerians cannot suffer anymore harm, and if they have to, their leader must be seen to be personally with them.
No comments:
Post a Comment