CURRENT ISSUES: Engaging clerics in orientating public, solution to killings in Nigeria 

Prince Seun John Ijaodola is an Ilorin-based lawyer who has carved a niche for himself in the legal profession. In this interview, he speaks with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI on the prevailing extrajudicial killings in some parts of the country among other sundry issues. Excerpts:

As part of the prevailing killings in parts of Nigeria, 66 persons were killed recently by gunmen in Kaduna, is there no way out…?

Killings in Nigeria has become an unfortunate incident, the recent one affects all of us in the country. It is unfortunate that it’s happening now, but that has always been the trend everywhere in the world, in the U.S, France or any part of the world. The issue now is; the social media has taken over. In about 20 years back, something like this would happen and no one would have heard about it or few people will be in the know. But in recent time, once the incident happens, it will immediately go viral on social networks due to the internet. Well, I believe there is a way out of the menace but we should also note that any measure that will be deployed to address the issue cannot be rapid or the other. We fall victim of one thing in Nigeria, we don’t have means of addressing problems until it break out. We need orientation in Nigeria, the perpetrators of the dastard act need to be re-oriented, it will not just happen in a day but from tender age. I believe they don’t have the fear of God and that’s why they can look at another person and kill. The solution government can proffer now is an aftermath effect. The major roles to be played now lies in the hands of our clerics. Our people, pastors, Imam are not really serving God again; they’re interested in making money than preaching the true gospel.

Does the killings have political undertone?

One cannot affirmatively say it has, it is a guess work. But until our security operatives uncover the perpetrators, then, we can know what is instigating the killings.

One of the abducted Dapchi girls, Leah Sharibu is still in captive and her parents, concern bodies have been blaming government for not doing enough to secure her release…?

Things like this happened in America, it is a pre-planned effort and until such plan is busted before it’s committed, there is little to what security operatives can do. They cannot not just put armies on the road, it doesn’t work that way…

On the issue of last Saturday election that was cancelled, many organisations in Nigeria, especially legal practitioners have been condemning…?

It’s disheartening that the election has to be postponed, I was equally a victim. Be that as it may, it was a sacrifice though a painful one we must all take just to ensure free and fair polls in Nigeria.

The election was postponed 2011, 2015 now 2019, will you say INEC has not learnt from past mistakes?

The issue is not when the INEC will get it right but when our political players begin to play the game well. When the players are dirty, there will be need for postponement.