Perhaps the only thing that is certain about the 2019 election is that it will be laced with suspense, intrigues, drama and the unexpected. This is coming from speculations from some eminent personalities in and outside the country, apparently arising from the increasing level of insecurity and senseless killings of innocent citizens .
For instance, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who had predicted surprises for Nigeria some time ago has spoken again barely six months into this year that it will take the grace of God for the election to take place with the incessant killings going on in the country.
In his word, “I am not sure there will be an election and even Nigeria may not live.” What a predicament for our dear nation. It is becoming obvious that there are deliberate plans to overheat the polity by those who are benefiting from the huge budgetary allocations to security matters.
I recall the immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole always telling us in government house that, “ Nigerians should stop lamenting over situations but rather look for solutions to overcome them”.
It is on the basis of this that we should not be too pessimistic about the future of our country. God loves this country so much that is why we are still one great nation irrespective of the problems we are encountering which are over ninety five percent caused by human factors.
However, the visit of President Muhammed Buhari to President Donald Trump of the United States of America should also encourage us that the problems of insecurity and terrorism is not only in Nigeria, but a world wide phenomenon.
President Trump who made the remark as the two leaders met in the white house where they discussed issues on security and the need to have better relationship between Nigeria and the United States expressed their concern over the killings in the country.
Hear him :“We have had serious problems with Christians who are being murdered in Nigeria; we are going to work on that problem very hard because we cannot allow that to happen. We are very much dealing with ISIS, especially in the last one month, To protect Americans from these menaces, I have called on the congress to close deadly immigration loopholes that are exploited by terrorists, traffickers and criminals. Just look at our borders that are weak and obsolete, weak and pathetic and there is no country that has laws as we do”
“We are also helping our Nigerian partners by facilitating intelligence, co-operation and providing training and military equipment to Nigerian forces. For example, we recently sold Nigeria 12 US A29 super catena aircraft. This is the first ever sale of the American military weapon to Nigeria. This new aircraft will help Nigeria to target terrorists and protect civilians.”
President Trump also assured the federal government of speedy release of the 12 counter insurgency aircraft worth $496 million to enable it fight Boko Haram. Though views are divided to whether the President had the power to spend $496 million for the purchase of the military aircraft without approval of the national assembly. But sources from the presidency claim that the president followed due process and the Executive acted in good faith with its inherent powers in a case of emergency.
It is noteworthy that there are efforts being made by the Buhari administration to stabilize security in the county. The president had maintained that: “we appreciate the commitment of United states to get rid of terrorism, we are very grateful for it. We should not underrate terrorists from Libya. With the death of Gaddai, people were being recruited from the sahel, because this is the only hope they have. We are doing our best to make sure we stop the cross border movement and so on. It will take time. We are happy with the United states for trying to see the end of ISIS. You know the Boko Haram in Nigeria had at a time made a statement that they belong to ISIS. Now that ISIS has been virtually ruined, we are happy with that. We are stabilizing the situation in Nigeria.”
On Trumps call for rescue of Chibok girls, President Buhari said: “Chibok girls kidnap was before we came into power. We rescued some of them. The Dapchi girls were 106, we rescued 100 back, four died, one is still in captivity. We are very grateful to the United Nations for helping out. We have not given up on the Dapchi girl. My administration is committed to stopping kidnapping of young girls and trafficking, killing of Christians and burning of churches in Nigeria is a horrible story”.
The president also admitted that hitherto in Nigeria, herdsmen did not carry guns but they only wield sticks and machetes occasionally. His words: “The problem of herders in Nigeria has a very long history. The Nigerian herders don’t carry anything more than a stick and occasionally a machete to cut down foliage and give it to their animals. These ones are carrying AK-47.
In as much as we know the history of those killing innocent people, it is our expectations that with the experience in the USA, Nigeria should be able to police its borders to stop migration of the so called Gaddafi armed militias to our country.
Just like President Trump called on the congress to take decisive decisions concerning migration, the Nigerian government should as a matter of necessity close all deadly migration loopholes that are being exploited by terrorists, traffickers and criminals.
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Eubaldus Enahoro is Assistant Editor with the Nigerian Observer.
