‘It is a welcome development’

[Mirror]

Prince Hakeem Awolesi is a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He spoke with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE. Excerpts:

What is your take on declaration of state of emergency in three states in the North, where the activities of Boko Haram are rampant?

The declaration of state emergency in the affected states was very appropriate as the safety of lives and properties remain the sole responsibility of any government. In view of the failure of the sect to yield to voice of reason, making their demands and grievances known to the government by accepting the offer of dialogue and possible extension of amnesty, the danger in the continuous loss of lives and properties, emerging dangers of total breakdown of law and possible spread of violence across the nation, I am of the view that the declaration of state of emergency was in order.

Do you think that the emergency rule is appropriate?

In a democratic climate, the appropriateness or otherwise of the declaration of a state of emergency is very debatable. In my own opinion, it will only succeed in bringing temporary peace to the affected states through the use of military force but not a lasting solution to the perennial spread of extremism and violence in the northern part of the country as a result of undue politicking by the various actors positioning themselves as beneficiaries of such inhuman acts.

During the state of emergency declared by former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration in Plateau and Ekiti states, the governors were replaced with Sole Administrators but the governors of the affected states are still holding offices despite the state of emergency. What is your take on this?

The emergency declarations under the administration of former President Obasanjo were brought to fore under very different circumstance which in my opinion cannot be compared to what we currently have at hand in those affected states. The activities of Boko Haram cannot be classified as ethnic, religious, sectional or agitation for self-survival but a declaration of war on the country by a group of people who have chosen to adopt killing, maiming and wanton destruction of properties as their way of getting government attention. This is unacceptable in a sane and democratic nation like Nigeria.

Do you think the state of emergency in only three states is justifiable considering that states like Bauchi, Kano, Niger and Plateau have also suffered Boko Haram insurgency?

Constitutionality or otherwise of the declaration and the continuous occupation of various political offices are purely legal issues which do not preclude the President the wisdom of adopting a much more democratic option in managing varied problems confronting the nation. If by the virtue of security reports, the respective governors of the states are in no way linked directly or indirectly, not found to be aiding and abating the activities of the sect, removing them from office will only but create further avenues for the sects and their supporters in further spreading their activities beyond bounds.

In conclusion the government showed lack of will, weakness in sense of judgment in waiting for the activities of the sect to adopt a dangerous trend before showing strength and faith in bringing the force of government to protect lives and properties. No responsible government will wait for the loss of thousands of lives and destructions of enormous properties before adopting far reaching measures in maintaining peace. Having said that, the use of force has never and will never bring lasting peace to any security issues affecting the country but the need to properly investigate the root cause of the activities of the sect, address various allegations of extra judicial killings level against the security agencies (abinitio), abuses by the military forces, economics needs of the region, maintain accountability and integrity in government, ensure true federalism and resource control, encourage constituent states and region in the federation to focus more in developing areas of comparative advantage. The current structure of Nigeria as it stands will breed nothing but injustice, corruption, lack of integrity, lawlessness, poverty, penury and lack of hope for the future. Adopting the tenets of true federalism (with 100 per cent resource control) with a weak centre is a sure panacea for peace, progress and peaceful co-existence between the constituent states in Nigeria.

National Mirror