Peter Offem Ubi|29 May 2016|7:15am
The Niger Delta Avengers unwholesome activities should seriously be of concern to all Nigerians not just the administration of President Buhari. While pipeline vandalisation isn't new to the Nigerian State, the brazen engagement of these men isn't to be ignored. Those who are clapping hands for this potentially explosive security situation are fooling themselves.
We must keep in mind that rebuilding back infrastructures isn't an easy task, more so, resources that ought to be expended on new infrastructural development, and building our nation are now deployed toward protection of these pipelines and rebuilding pipelines already vandalized -what then is the gain? We must tell ourselves the truth and talk to ourselves for better resolution to the crisis. While encouraging criminality shouldn't be our goal, we must understand that leadership cannot ever be obtain using the nozzle of a gun.
There is need for a loud collective condemnation on acts so heinous, acts without satisfaction, and acts preventing from salvaging our country. I know so may argue over hensmen activities, argue over the ruling party political direction, and over who governs. Leaders have come and gone, history is our witness but the Nigeria as a nation state remains with us. Those believing that by obtaining guns will be the best licence for dialogue, I say, certainly they are not bringing any solution to the table. Should situation get out of hand, those who cannot get out of the country will pray for the soul of a country in firing range.
The survival of our national continuity is a call we must uphold.
The administration of President Buhari, an administration some view as intransigent is advised to approach matters of the Niger Delta with wisdom, temperance and reasonable concessions to the people…it was disappointing to read of the arrest of an Ogoni high chief -whatever will project the Buhari led government as combative and undemocratic shouldn't be allowed.
I want to believe reasons for the resurfacing of militancy may have resulted from cancellations in pipeline surveillance contracts to the locals. The government idea of relocating Nigeria Maritime University away from the South-South is provocative at minimum. Though sentimental reasoning towards the fight on corruption leads to the disaffection we are witnessing of the administration, an wholistical and sincerely approach should be followed now that the presidency has formed a committee on criminal prosecution.
President Buhari's team must do more to kill the presumptions in the minds of many Nigerians that he is out on a political witch hunt of the opposition (PDP), or that he is parochial and nepotistic…all these are fuelling negative gains in to the administration. Managing the national economy should be priority number one; stemming the tide on our foreign exchange crisis must be given due consideration…if it means pushing for a removal of the CBN governor through a vote of no confidence in the Senate -so be it. The building of confidence in the government and stability in the market will go along way in reassuring everyone that President Buhari means well.
I support the President, and believe in his capacity and leadership for Nigeria. He represents a symbol of confidence and the restoration of hope to a large percentage of Nigerians.
Peter Offem Ubi
Is a Social Commentator
