Former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government of lacking the political will to solve the insecurity problem facing the country.
The APC chieftain in an interview on the Voice of America (VOA) noted that there was the need to address the violence carried out by Islamist militant group, Boko Haram and restore law and order .
He expressed regret that the growing insecurity has undermined the Nigeria’s economy and has negatively impacted its reputation in the international community. “The security situation in the country, I must admit is appalling. I have never seen it this bad – not even during the civil war did we have this sense of insecurity all over the country”, he stated.
The Turaki Adamawa highlighted measures that could be implemented immediately by the Jonathan administration to resolve the security threats posed by Boko Haram insurgents. “What we need to have in place is a political leadership that has the will, the courage and the determination to restore law and order. Restoring law and order is a multifaceted approach; both social, economic as well as security. You must have a political leadership that has vision, the will and the courage to pursue those multifaceted approach”, he added.
The former vice-president also dismissed insinuations in certain quarters that the activities of the insurgents were politically motivated.
His words “It’s not supported by any empirical evidence. I think we should stop passing the buck at each other. As long as this security situation is concerned we should work as a team, the whole country. Whether opposition, whether ruling party, we should work as a team to make sure that we restore peace, unity and stability.”
Speaking on the fortune of the main opposition party, Abubakar who is seeking the APC presidential ticket, expressed confidence that the main opposition party poses a significant challenge to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s election . “
I have never seen a climate that gives the opposition so much hope than today. Because since the return of democracy, Nigeria has been governed by only one ruling political party, and Nigerians really want to see a change. I toured the country and this sense of change is pervasive. So if the APC can put its house in order, Nigerians will give that party the opportunity.”
