National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Babagana Monguno (retd.). |
This blame must squarely be put on the door step of the President
who manifestly cares less about instilling discipline among his appointees most
especially, among the Security Chiefs.
Barely two months ago, the entire nation was shocked to hear
President Buhari saying in Markudi that he didn’t that the IGP flouted his
directive to go to Benue to check the carnage that was a daily affair. Everyone
had expected an immediate sack or a reprimand of such an IG, but that never
happened.
If an NSA can boldly say that
insubordination is the cause of rising
insecurity will it be hard to know
that this President has been unable
to assert his authority over the service
Chiefs he appointed?
In December 2016, when Buhari first sent Magu to the Senate for
confirmation as the Chairman of EFCC, it could be recalled that it was the
Directorate of State Services (DSS) that sent an adverse report that stalled
Magu’s confirmation. This was repeated on 15 March, 2017 when Magu reappeared before
the Senate. Yet the President, who is in charge of both the EFCC and DSS
neither accepted the negative report of DSS against Magu, nor moved against the
D.G of DSS for sending that negative report against a nominee in whom he is
well pleased.
The Constitution which President Buhari swore to defend says that,
the primary function of government is the welfare and security of the citizens.
In fact that is the reason for the existence of government anywhere in the
world. It is not fighting corruption; for that is a peripheral function.
On this
plank, can anyone say the President has done well? If anyone fails all his core
courses, can elective ones see him through school? These are questions Buhari’s
foot soldiers must answer.
If an NSA can boldly say that, insubordination is the cause of
rising insecurity will it be hard to know that this President has been unable
to assert his authority over the service Chiefs he appointed?
Recall that both his party men and opposition have overtime called
on the President to reshuffle his cabinet and change the Service Chiefs in
order to infuse new ideas and fresh energy into governance, but that had been
rebuffed by him. It is only in this administration that, inter service
rivalries are commonplace and their boss keeps looking elsewhere.
I have said before now that, a President who is quick to identify
a problem but at a total loss on pointing to the solution is not fit to be President.
It is only when security of lives is guaranteed, that food security can be
guaranteed. And then corruption can be fought in an atmosphere devoid of harm.
For now, I beg to borrow these words from Shakespeare’s Julius
Caesar, “Security has given way to conspiracy.”
How sad?
-Friday Ekpo
is a Lagos based good governance advocate and social affairs commentator.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer: Comments from our readers do not represent the editorial policy of The Bulletin Press.