By Ikeddy ISIGUZO—
BOLA Ahmed Tinubu seems to revel in his inconsistencies, wearing them as badges of honour and challenging others to understand his deliberate departure from logic, favouring inexactitudes that conceal insensitivity.
The country is steeped in blood, fear, and a paralysing uncertainty stemming from a President and Commander-in-Chief who, from day one in office, has appeared more concerned with the prestige of his position than with “the security and welfare” of the people – unless they are within his immediate family or circle of allies.
From the outset, President Tinubu’s primary focus has been securing a second term. That has been his sole preoccupation since 29th May 2023. Any issue that doesn’t contribute to his re-election is considered secondary.
Tinubu has demonstrably failed. He cannot deny it. He is so anxious about losing the next election that he loses sleep contemplating facing the very people he has ignored.
He now offers only muted responses to crises, seemingly afraid to offend anyone and willing to accept any suggestion that might maintain a fragile peace as he cautiously approaches 2027.
He is a President in hiding. The situation in Jos was a stark example. He lacks the words to address the issues he has been unwilling to confront meaningfully since 2023.
To point to infrastructure – whatever infrastructure that may be – and tax reforms as major achievements while the lives of Nigerians remain insecure is both insulting and absurd.
Is Tinubu building a Nigeria for the dead? Terrorists and bandits routinely kill Nigerians with impunity. These killings are daily news.
Tinubu’s typical response to security briefings consists of empty platitudes: “we will ensure this does not happen again,” “this is one killing too many,” “the perpetrators will not go unpunished,” and “I have ordered our security agencies to go after them”.
These are hollow words that have only emboldened the killers, who know there will be no consequences for their actions – sometimes even setting communities ablaze while people sleep and shooting those who attempt to escape.
The killers are gaining territory and increasingly targeting our military bases directly. Casualty figures among troops and security personnel are rising. Equipment is destroyed or captured.
Who cares? Apparently not the Commander-in-Chief, who believes the solution to the insecurity in Plateau State is 5,000 drones. This reflects a prioritisation of contracts over effective command and control, intelligence management, and a decisive approach to dealing with terrorists who have turned parts of Nigeria into war zones.
In recent months, conversations have centred on the number of troops we are losing, including senior officers. This is becoming normalised. There is little anger, even embarrassment, at these losses. They are announced as if they are inconsequential. Sometimes, the reluctance to announce them speaks volumes.
How can terrorists destroy our military facilities, kill our troops – including officers – and abduct our citizens, while the Commander-in-Chief fails to order a major offensive to cripple their ability to attack?
Nigerians are not interested in the Commander-in-Chief’s empty promises. He must act to rescue Nigeria from the tragic and crippling consequences of insecurity that are making the country unliveable.
Tinubu’s apparent indifference is evident in how he addresses the nation, overlooking the needs of the people and tolerating the outrageous statements from his officials who seem to expect deference to terrorists.
Is this not deeply troubling?
The Nigerian Army, through Operation HADIN KAI, offers a different account of the terrorist attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State. According to Lt-Col Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, only four personnel – two officers and two soldiers – were killed, some 22 hours after the Commander-in-Chief commented on the battle.
“OPHK categorically refutes the claim that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, lost their lives during the incident.
“The military remains the only credible source of verified information on its operations and will continue to provide timely and accurate updates through official channels.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to rely on such sources and refrain from spreading unverified information.”
Could this be further evidence of the Commander-in-Chief’s detachment from verified information from the battlefield? Tinubu had named Brig-Gen Oseni Omoh Braimah as the killed Brigade Commander and praised the bravery of the soldiers who died fighting in Benisheikh.
Let us hope the Commander-in-Chief and his troops are not contradicting each other.
Even more concerning is the national policy of treating terrorists as “brothers”, as National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, suggests, and “prodigal sons” deserving a “repentance window”, according to Chief of Defence Staff, Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede.
How are our troops expected to reconcile these orders with their own safety? While it is assumed both men speak for Tinubu, the time has come for the Commander-in-Chief to clarify to our troops, and to Nigerians, whether terrorists are “our brothers”, “our prodigal sons”, or our enemies.
This matter demands urgent attention, as the President’s answer will dictate how we treat terrorists.
Finally…
THE State House, often referred to as the Villa, has an AI chatbot that, when you read a press statement, invites you to “Hi, I am State House AI, ask me anything”. When you do, it replies, “This chatbot is currently unavailable. If you are the owner, please check your account”. This perfectly encapsulates a government that is currently inaccessible.
PROUD factional leader of the Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has admitted to being financially supported to continue his internal party battles. He resides in one of Abuja’s most expensive hotels and is accompanied by a security detail. How long will this sponsorship last?
THE pervasive darkness and sadness across Nigeria demand immediate attention. They are too pressing to ignore.
*ISIGUZO remains a commentator on significant issues.
