Security
By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, July 15, 2018 (NAN) A faith-based organisation, The Muslim Congress (TMC), has called on the Federal Government to prepare adequate security apparatus across the country ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The TMC Committee on Social Mobility, the Economy & Politics made the call in its 11th quarterly series of the “State of the Nation Address”, presented by its chairman, Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem in Lagos.
He said the call was necessary to ensure adequate protection of lives, property as well as in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
“When the general election approaches in Nigeria, there is always heightened tension in the politics and economy of the country with palpable fear for the security of lives and properties.
“This is due to the contest for power among political parties, economic groups, ethnic nationalities and religious organisations.
“Each contending party tries to manipulate circumstances in its favour without any consideration for morality, justice or the national interest.
“The government has the onerous responsibility of managing these circumstances in such a way that the country does not descend into anarchy,’’ AbdurRaheem, also the Amir (President) of TMC, said.
The committee, however, commended the Federal Government for being proactive by deploying 30,000 policemen in Ekiti State during its just concluded governorship election to forestall violence.
“It is also gratifying that the INEC reiterated its commitment to the principles of free, fair and credible elections and acted to the letter,’’ he said.
He advised the security agencies, politicians and the youths to conduct themselves honourably in the forthcoming elections.
“Electioneering should not be a do-or-die affair if, indeed, the purpose is to render service to the people.
“Elections should not widen the ethnic and religious cleavages that already exist among the people.
“Nigerians should seek to recreate the kind of atmosphere that enabled the ideals of the 1993 elections when the people sought unity in diversity.’’
The committee also raised concern over calls by some interest groups for the creation of “state police”, saying the recourse to “state police that is being touted needs to be done with caution’’.
“Granted that the numerous killings in the country have exposed the underbelly of our security architecture, the recourse to state police that is being touted needs to be done with caution.
“For all the merits that the “state police” may have, it is going to be bedevilled with the challenge of funding since many states are already unable to pay the salaries of civil servants within their care.
“It will be a danger and a security threat to the people to have a police force that is owed salaries for years.
“It will result in a lawless and undisciplined police, who will exact their pound of flesh on the ordinary citizens.
“It will, therefore, be better and more sensible for the police to continue to be under the Federal system till such a time that the states have grown and become capable of footing the bills,’’ said. (NAN)
AIB/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada