Former Minister of Power and Steel Prof Iyorwuese Hagher has blamed the inability to defeat Boko Haram and other militia groups on what he called highly politicised military and weak judiciary.
Hagher said the killings in the Northeast and North Central, particularly Benue, would continue if the military is not strengthened to perform its duty in line with global best practices in counter terrorism.
Delivering a lecture entitled: The Insecurity factor in Nigeria’s stunted metamorphose to greatness at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Hagher urged the Federal Government to procure equipment for the military and accord the judiciary the freedom to try suspected terrorist without interference.
The lecture was part of the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado Ekiti Branch.
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), urged Nigerians to view the 2019 general elections as a year revolution must occur in the country, adding that the revolution he was suggesting was not that of bloodshed or one that required brandishing of dangerous weapons, but one that would be accomplished via electoral struggle.
The former ABUAD Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, described bad leadership and corruption as the real cause of insecurity.
He said: “The biggest threat to national greatness is insecurity. In Nigeria, there is an unprecedented scale of killings and kidnapping, illegal bunkering, job racketeering, abductions, human trafficking, internally displaced persons, armed robberies, communal fights and crimes against humanity and a glaring execution of genocide against hated groups by well-protected herdsmen terrorists.
“Insecurity is detrimental to the wellbeing of society. It lowers life expectancy and leads to death. Nigeria’s life expectancy is 54 years, this is unfavourably compared to the global average which is 71 years. Those who are living in Nigeria live a low quality life.
“Insecurity destroys the economy because without peace it is difficult for economic activities to thrive. Insecurity destroys businesses, infrastructure, properties and equipment, and businesses relocate to more secure countries or other secure locations.
‘Oil companies in the Southsouth relocated away from the region and some even out of the country. In the same way companies operating in the Northeastern Nigeria had to relocate outside the zone, schools and hospitals were closed down as some doctors and teachers were killed and the remaining fled.
“Insecurity creates political instability, migration, internally displaced people, capital flight, brain drain, reduction of foreign direct investment and underdevelopment. Many people in the Diaspora today left Nigeria due to crime and insecurity, as a direct result of an assault or a robbery or death of a relation or a friend from violence.”
Espousing further reasons why Nigeria military should be professionalised, Hagher said it took a strong and virile military for Zimbabwe to get out of political mess and slavery under the dictatorship of President Robert Mugabe.
He said since the return to full democracy in 1999, the Nigerian leaders have cared very little about the common person.
Hagher regretted that bad leaders have been hiding under religion, which he said had become a deadly virus that divides the nation.
“The nation is terminally ill as the executive, legislature and the judiciary have continued to deny Nigeria the greatness it deserves. The Nigerian leaders compromise with criminals and deny citizens the means by which their grievances could be addressed.
“The security agencies lack the appropriate skills and expertise to secure peace, safety and happiness of the people. Sadly, the Nigerian leaders, who negotiate and do business with criminals have weakened government’s ability to fight insurgency, banditry and other crimes. In many states in the country some governors have criminals on their payroll.
“Money meant for education, health and infrastructure is diverted to fight insecurity. Doctors, nurses and teachers flee from conflict zones. Economic activities are stalled while the ordinary citizens become victims of rape, kidnappings abductions and invalids from bomb blasts.
“Nigerians look forward to a bleak and uncertain future as the general elections of 2019 draw near. The 2019 presidential election is set against the backdrop: as the authorisation of greater insecurity by voting President Buhari for four more years of more of the same collective insecurity, corruption and escalation of genocide.”
