The recent spate of insecurity in the country has continued to generate debates among the citizenries, an Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Surajudeen Bamidele, bares his mind on the issue to our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI. Excerpts:
Recent happenings seems to be posing threat to our security in Nigeria, how do you see this and what is the possible way out?
It is not peculiar to Nigeria alone but under Buhari regime, it is worse. Politicians should put aside their personal interest and consider the interest of the citizens. Few days ago, we had conflicting opinions over the issue of insecurity between the Northern elders and the President. To me, this issue has gone beyond normal but, it has political undertone. It appears like those who do not belong to this government seized the opportunity to unleash their grievances. The present government should pep up its security apparatus. There should be more focus on our Forces especially the military. Road operations should be encouraged so as to apprehend miscreants who are perpetrating evil causing sleepless nights for many people in the country. Security has never been this worse in Nigeria.
The alleged assault on a nursing mother by a sitting Senator has made many Nigerians to call for the scrap of Not-too-young-to-run policy, what is your take on this?
I won’t subscribe to the idea that certain age limit should be made a condition for whoever wants to contest for my political office under Not-too-young-to-run. Age doesn’t mean maturity. You will be marvelled how some 60 years old behave. Consider our Speaker in Kwara State who is 34 years old, he has been very useful to the State though he has his advisers. Senator Abbo who allegedly assaulted the nursing mother was said to have been with politicians all along, so he has been exposed to many things. It’s the upbringing that matters not age perse.
On the issue of Ruga settlement, what is the update?
I don’t subscribe to creating special settlement for cattle rearing. Why is the suggestion coming at this time, though Federal Government has reversed it. But I don’t think such can work, it will trigger lots of things, even from the south. That idea is better never raised again, otherwise, it will awaking some actions which will not be good for our country.
There seems to be EFCC everywhere in Nigeria now, do you see this as a way of fighting corruption genuinely?
It’s supposed to be, the sincerity of it that is questionable. The agency in some cases are used to witch-hunt. Many cases in the past have confirmed this. The agency fight selective war.
The issue of the Islamic movement, Shiite, protesting the non-release of their leader took an unprecedented twist recently as Channels TV reporter, Assistant Inspector-General of Police among others were killed by the group, how could this matter be resolved?
It is the fault of the Federal Government. No matter the allegation, once the court made a pronouncement, it must be obeyed. The law is above everybody, they must release Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic movement on bail. The court don’t just grant bail, there must be terms and conditions, in fact, they can even restrict his movement so the idea of him causing chaos after the release will not arise. There is a special reason behind why he was not released and it is bad. In fact, there is an application that the court should grant bail for medical check up abroad but I don’t see the possibility of that.
People seems to be attaching ethnicity to the issue of kidnapping that is prevailing in the country, what is your take?
It’s not only Fulani responsible for the kidnapping, people are just putting politics into this. I’m not convinced that the recent one that happened in Edo State is at how Fulani herdsmen.
How do you see former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter on insecurity?
Obasanjo is an elder statement but when you’re doing a thing abnormally, people tend not to take you serious again. He doesn’t need to write he can go and see the President and advice him. He cannot keep quiet, he must give advice but there are some sensitive issues that he needs not make public. He cannot just write, but do that responsibly.
