The Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said that the 2015 general election may not be credible unless solutions are found to the prevailing security crises in the North East region of the country and elections held in the area.
Aliyu said people will criticise the outcome of the election once the crisis in the region is not contained to make the conduct of election possible in the country at the same time.
Governor Aliyu made the remarks in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Wednesdaywhen he spoke at the 4th MBA International Literary Colloquium held at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre as part of activities marking his 59th birthday.
“The legitimacy of the 2015 general will be contingent on how security is provided in the North East,” Aliyu declared, adding: “What is happening in the North East cannot be described as terrorist attacks because terrorists do not acquire land as it’s being done.”
Governor Aliyu said there is the need for the country to speak with its neighbours to stop harbouring those undermining the security of the country.
He regretted that the areas under the control of terrorist in the North East and its periphery is up to three states put together, asking the Federal Government to act decisively by declaring an all out war against the insurgents.
The governor also took a swipe at the attitude of Nigerian soldiers who instead of defending the territorial integrity of the country always take to their heels when confronted by the terrorists group, adding that their action smirked of sheer cowardice.
Aliyu suggested that recruitment into the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in the country should be properly scrutinized to ensure only those that genuinely want to serve the country are engaged into forces and other professional bodies
Recruitment into professional organisations, the governor said, should not be jobs for the boys but for those that are interested in such professional jobs, explaining that for the armed forces, those joining the army should be prepared to lay down their lives in defence of the nation.
Former President of Mozambique, Joacquim Alberto Chissano, delivered the lead lecture with the theme: “Leadership and National Development and Post Centenary Nigeria.”