Security opposition is uncharitable to Jonathan, Government – Adesiyan

ABUJA (Ministry of Police Affairs Report)

The Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul Jelili Adesiyan has said that those who are accusing the Nigerian government and President Goodluck Jonathan of doing nothing to stem the security challenges in the country are uncharitable to the President and the government as well as lacks patriotism and commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria.

According to the Minister, it is unfair for the opposition to dwell under the dynamism of the nation’s political system  and the atmosphere of freedom of speech guaranteed by the Jonathan Administration  to run down the government even when the truth of its efforts in fighting terrorism is not only cogent and verifiable, but very well known to them.

Abdul Adesiyan made the assertions when he played host to the Ambassador and Head of the delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Michel Arrion in his office, adding that in spite of the evil machinations of the terrorists and their backers, the Nigerian spirit would always overcome as the nation would continue to be united and indivisible.

He lamented the recourse by the opposition to negative emphasis rather than giving objective and informed criticism. He further noted that their desire in this is to mislead the international community about the happenings in the country. He charged the European Union and other world bodies not to form opinions based on media reports alone, but also on personal on- the- spot assessments of the situation in Nigeria.

The Minister observed that Nigerians need to imbibe the patriotic spirit of unity and commitment to development, instead of deliberating on the pull-down attitude which has characterised opposition activities in the country. He added that the media should engage in objective information dissemination and set agenda for healthy engagements and not be used to bring down the government.

He commended the European Union for its constructive engagement with the Nigerian government in ensuring that the current wave of insurgency in Nigeria and some neighbouring countries are brought under control and called for more collaborative efforts, saying terrorism does not recognize territorial boundaries.

While briefing the Minister on their mission, the European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion hinted that the Union desires to explore new ways of collaborating with the Nigerian government towards  containing the current security trends. He also inferred that the insecurity condition is capable of affecting mutual interests, more so that terrorists are highly mobile.

The Ambassador, who was accompanied by the Counselor and Head of Co-operation of the Union, Brian O’neill disclosed that they were also interested in forging an alliance, not only on security issues, but also the supply and improvement of energy as these are central to the realization of development objectives of nations.