President Muhammadu Buhari has described an editorial in the Daily confidence newspaper criticizing the administration’s handling of the Nigerian security situation.
The Daily Trust, one of Nigeria’s most widely read newspapers, published an editorial on Sunday titled: “Life has lost its value under Buhari’s Nigeria.”
In the editorial, the newspaper, which has a strong presence in northern Nigeria, condemned the worsening situation in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country.
“Welcome to northern Nigeria, around 2021, where life has apparently lost its value, under a president voted en masse five times by the same population,” the newspaper wrote.
PREMIUM TIMES has reported on the murder of dozens of people weekly by non-state actors across the country. At least 63 people died last week, most of them in northern Nigeria, this newspaper reported. In its response to the Daily Trust on Sunday night, Buhari’s office listed the government’s efforts to address the security situation.
“Second, along with military force, this government seeks to address violence from its economic origins,” wrote Garba Shehu, a spokesman for Buhari.
Although the president’s office admitted the ‘seriousness’ of the ‘growing instability and violence in northern Nigeria …’, it still criticized the Daily Trust editorial, describing it as ‘creepy political journalism’.
“Now is not the time for this kind of creepy political journalism. Now our focus as Nigerians must be on coming together and ending the violence, ”Shehu wrote.
See the full statement from Mr. Buhari’s office below.
RESPONSE FROM PRESIDENT BUHARI’S OFFICE TO TODAY’S DAILY CONFIDENCE EDITORIAL: “LIFE HAS LOST ITS VALUE UNDER BUHARI NIGERIA”
Given the seriousness of the issue raised today by the Daily Trust, the Office of the President wishes to issue a response.
The growing instability and violence in northern Nigeria and elsewhere is unacceptable. No one, least of all the Presidency, underestimates the seriousness of the situation. Every day, the president holds the victims and their families in his thoughts and prayers. Above all, he wishes to assure you, and all Nigerians, that tackling the scourge of banditry and terrorism remains the first priority of this government.
Unfortunately, in this regard, Nigeria is not alone. Violence and terror have steadily increased across the African continent over the past decade. The Economist magazine, in a recent publication, wrote about “The Next Afghanistan”, warning the world community about the dire security in our neighborhood, specifically citing the states of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. We therefore understand the frustrations of the Daily Trust and Northern Nigerian communities over the current security challenges, and the Buhari administration is no less concerned. But it is fair to say that Nigeria’s persistent and ongoing efforts to suppress that instability have paid off, with the terrorist group Boko Haram, among others, reduced to a shell of what it once was.
Yet now Nigerians face a new threat: the worst global health crisis in living memory. Even Nigeria, which prides itself on occupying the mantle of Africa’s largest economy, is not immune to the debilitating economic impact of COVID-19. The economic instability caused by the pandemic has proven to be an effective tool for recruiting bandits and terrorists across the continent.
In fact, the Daily Trust has correctly identified the source of the violence as “an amalgam of many complex problems” such as poverty and unemployment. It is equally correct to point out that, in dealing with violence, “force alone will not suffice.” However, it is quite wrong to suggest that the problem of insecurity is insoluble, and even more wrong to claim apathy on the part of the government.
So what is the government doing?
First, our military efforts have not ceased. It is true that in the face of the increasing number of threats from Boko Haram, kidnappers and IPOB to their ordinary bandits, our forces are dwindling more and more. But our dedicated soldiers work day and night to keep Nigerians safe.
Second, along with military force, this government seeks to address violence from its economic origins. Massive infrastructure projects like the coastal railway and the new train from the south coast through the northeast to our neighbor Niger, aim to expand employment and opportunities across the country, bringing hope to our most remote and poorer regions where they thrive. bandits and terrorists.
Third, even as the West continues to pull out of Africa militarily, we are aggressively pressuring our Western allies to partner, invest, and support in other areas, such as outlawing Boko Haram, bandits, and the IPOB as terrorist groups, which would affect seriously to its funding. ; for investment in trade and infrastructure, to help reduce economic instability; and to assist with technical assistance, advanced weaponry, intelligence, and ordinances.
This is likely to be a small comfort to the families and loved ones of those who have already been lost. But make no mistake: this is a battle we are waging relentlessly. The Daily Trust’s suggestion that the president exchanges violence for electoral support is below a post that claims any kind of political neutrality or integrity.
Now is not the time for this kind of creepy political journalism. Now our focus as Nigerians must be on coming together and ending the violence. As President Buhari recently wrote about terrorists in the British newspaper The Financial Times: “We will defeat them, one road, one rail link and one job at a time.”
Garba shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media and advertising)