Opinion

Arise News Interview: Buhari’s Idea Is Archaic, Outdated & Not In Tune With Emerging Realities

By Muyiwa Olayinka

It is very rare for President Muhammadu Buhari to engage in an interactive session with the press since he was sworn in 2015. The presidential media chat, an avenue for Nigerian past presidents to reach out to Nigerians and explain the activities and policies of the government was introduced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, sustained by his successors (Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan) was rested by Buhari.

Buhari addresses the nation through his media aides and national broadcasts that are pre-recorded most times.

It was a relief when out of the blue, President Buhari decided to open his doors for select journalists on the sixth anniversary of his government to explain his policies and programmes. Nigerians had been expectant to hear from him at this auspicious time to at least allay their fears from this turbulent period of serious security challenges.

A group of top seasoned Nigerian journalists headed by ThisDay publisher and owner of ARISE News, Nduka Obaigbena, with his team (Olusegun Adeniyi, Reuben Abati and Tundun Abiola) engaged Mr President in a wide range of topical issues that has bedevilled the nation. Adeniyi and Abati were former presidential spoke persons to Yar’adua and Jonathan respectively

In this article, we are going to look at Mr President’s reactions to some of these burning national issues and offer alternatives where necessary.

Restructuring and Devolution of Powers

The term restructuring has become more popular than the national anthem among different ethnic groups in Nigeria. The Nigerian structure is believed to be structurally imbalanced against many ethnic nationalities. It was designed to favour a particular section of the country against other sections that brings about marginalisation. Marginalisation exists in almost all facets of lives but most especially in allocation of resources and federal appointments. Majority of Nigerians are of the firm believe that it has become more pronounced under Buhari’s watch whom has been accused repeatedly of nepotism, favouring his ethnic group (Fulani)

The issue of restructuring becomes more critical since it is enshrined in the ruling party’s manifesto but this government has vetoed its implementation. Restructuring and devolution of powers are synonymous and it simply means shedding of powers of different layers of governments (federal, state and local) that were empowered by the 1999 constitution. In other words, it means the federal government shedding some of the powers on the exclusive lists to the concurrent and residual lists. It also means the state government should do away with the state and local government joint account that makes the local government to be a junior partner and subservient to the state government. This will free the local government to be autonomous from the state government in order to fulfil her constitutional responsibilities.

Buhari spurned the calls for restructuring and devolution of powers. He prefers the status quo to be maintained but advocates for the autonomy of the local government to function effectively. It means he encouraged the devolution of power from the state government to the local units but prefers to hold on to his powers bestowed on him by the constitution.

Solution.

Buhari, a retired military man will naturally prefer and desire the unitary system of governance to be in force because it is synonymous to the military tradition. A unitary system operates like the military chains of command (a top down model) or “obey the last order”. This system was introduced by late General Aguiyi Ironsi with his unification decree 34 of 1966. The decree that came into effect dissolved all democratic institutions of the regional system and the 1963 constitution and replaced it with military rule.

The 1979 and 1999 constitutions were initiated and created by military regimes deliberately retaining the unitary structure. The system of government is unitary which is a clear departure of a federal state. This lie and deceit of a federal state has been sustained by the beneficiaries because it suits the occupants of the highest office of the land.

This contradiction must be resolved before we can have a sustainable peace, competition among the federating units. A federal structure, a bottom up model is suitable for a heterogenous Nigeria that has different ethnic nationalities. The fear of domination and marginalisation will be greatly managed if Nigeria can work towards embracing this model.

State Police

Nigeria operates federal police that is controlled by the Inspector General of Police IGP who is appointed and answerable to the President. The Nigerian Police Force in conjunction with other security agencies are constitutionally charged to ensure internal security and also to maintain law and order. In policing Nigeria effectively, the federation is subdivided into divisions (zones) and commands that are controlled by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or AIG and commissioner of police (CP) respectively.

Nigeria has 36 states and each state has a CP that works with the state governor. Officially, the state governor is the chief security officer of the state but in reality, he does not wield executive powers in security matters. The CP does not take orders from the governor but from his boss (IGP) in Abuja.

The deployment of police officers is done by the hierarchy to different states of the federation. These newly deployed officers will have to contend with the new posting, new environment and will take a while for them to be accustomed to the mentality and culture of the people living in that community. As a result of this, the essence of community policing is totally defeated. The NPF is solely funded by the federal government and in most cases, provisions made are not sufficient. As a result of poor funding, effective policing is hampered and the nation has become worse off

While battling with all these challenges of poor funding and inadequate manpower, criminality and insecurity challenges such as herdsmen and farmer crises, banditry, insurgency, kidnappings, have grown exponentially.  The herdsmen and farmer crises have assumed a dangerous dimension leading to loss of lives. The crisis has led to distortion and destruction of lives, properties, farmlands leading to internal displacements of many Nigerians.

Since nature abhors vacuum, these lacuna and institutional challenges lead to the creation of several amorphous and regional security structure by state governments like Amotekun, the Ebubeagu in the south east and the Eastern Security Network ESN by the separatist group of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB.

Buhari faulted the call for state police and advocated for the old system where the traditional leaders, police, traders and elders meet regularly to discuss security situations in their localities.

Solution

Buhari’s suggestion is more practicable at the local government units that are synonymous to community policing. This is what entails with the sheriff system in the United States of America. This approach is not practicable when the security challenges have assumed national and international dimensions. The herdsmen have been labelled as the fourth deadliest terrorist organisation in the world by global terrorist index. Buhari’s approach cannot solve the Boko Haram insurgency that has aligned with the international terrorist group ISIS.

Nigeria, like the rest of the world, needs to adjust to the new security realities. Insistence of having only federal police without support and active collaboration from state and local is archaic and outdated. The creation of these amorphous security organisations has presented a new vista of having other security arrangements at the state and local government levels. For the fact that many state governors have been co equipping and co-financing the federal police in their domains makes it more imperative.  

Herdsmen /farmer crises and open grazing

The herdsmen and farmer crises have been rearing its ugly heads before Buhari’s presidency but the tardy and casual manner he handled it makes it assume a geometric proportion under his watch. In 2000, Major Buhari led a delegation of northern leaders to the then late Governor Lam Adesina when the crisis broke out in Saki Oyo state.

This problem is partly caused by rural and urban expansions. The encroachment of grazing routes can be traced to increase in commercial, economic and industrial activities. According to a researcher, Nigeria had 140 gazetted grazing reserves and almost all were located in the North, with only one located in Oyo state.

These are the list:

Adamawa 31, Bauchi 27, Bauchi 27, Borno 15, Gombe 4, Jigawa 2, Kaduna 2, Kebbi 1, Kogi 1, Kwara 1, Nasarawa 7, Niger 2, Plateau 1, Sokoto 8, Taraba 9, Yobe 17, Zamfara 6, FCT 4 and Oyo 2.

Secondly, global warming plays a part in the crisis. The global warming has dried up water up north necessitating the migration of the herders to the south such as the Benue trough. This uncontrolled migration for search for plants and water came with unmitigated crises between the pastoralist and the farmers

Thirdly the federal government was aware about the looming disaster and despite warnings from concerned authorities, no meaningful steps were taken to stop the drift. For example, ex-governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue said he informed many government officials close to Buhari and sought audience with Buhari’s government but he was rebuffed. Between 2015 and presently almost all the 36 states of the federation have been engulfed with this crisis

However, the 17 southern states with Asaba declaration banned open grazing of cattle in their domain and suggested the urgent need to encourage cattle ranching.

In his response, Buhari admitted to be a herder and is of the firm believe that genuine herders are harmless, wandering about with sticks and cutlass to cut trees for their livestock. He asserted those that are killing are non-Nigerians, they are the ones armed with AK 47 and dangerous weapons, leaving destruction on their trails. He demanded for the gazette to locate the grazing routes and reopen them back to solve the perennial crisis.

Solution

If Mr President restores the gazing routes, it means the herdsmen will be restricted to the north since most of them are located there. This is simplistic and unrealistic. It is urgent to expedite the establishment of ranches in some designated areas and deal squarely with the criminals involved. Since the state government came up with this bright idea, it behoves them to make lands available for integrated ranching. Our leaders should learn from the landmarks and successes recorded by countries like the Netherlands.

According to diary global, the Dutch dairy sector accounts for 7% of the national trade surplus, and the Dutch share in the world dairy trade amounted to almost 5% in 2019, earning the Netherlands a spot in the worldwide top-5 largest of dairy exporters alongside New-Zealand, the US, Belarus, and Germany. Almost 75% of all milk processed in the Netherlands remains in Europe, accounting for more than €5.6 billion, with Germany as the most important trading partner

The RUGA concept designed by the federal government is another solution to the crises but this government has a trust issue, a government accused of nepotism cannot be trusted to actualise it. A lot of sensitization and education will be needed to accept some of the recommendations of this policy and be implemented forthwith

IPOB and South East Crisis

“IPOB is like a dot in a circle. If they want to exist, they’ll have no access to anywhere. And the way they are spread all over the country, having business and property, I think IPOB doesn’t know what they are talking about. Anyway, we’ll talk to them in the language they understand, we’ll organise the police and military to pursue them”.

This is an extract of President Buhari’s response to the raging crisis in the south eastern part of the country. This statement is insensitive and arrogant from the number 1 man that is expected to be fair to all. He has never talked tough publicly over Boko Haram in the north east, banditry in north west and kidnappings in the south west. IPOB is an organisation that is agitating for the secession of the southeast region from Nigeria. Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB has been a thorn in the flesh to this government with his commitment in the realisation of Biafra. He has consistently demanded a referendum from the federal government.

A call rejected by the federal government, the organisation has evolved to become more militant as a result of persistent persecutions and extra judicial killings of members of the group. The formation of Eastern Security Network (ESN) by IPOB was meant to protect the citizens from the marauding herdsmen. Unfortunately, the establishment of ESN has increased the level of violence in the south east leading to burning down and destruction of federal government properties like police stations, court complexes and buildings.

Solution

Methinks the President should have adopted the carrot and stick approach. For the past 6 years, this government has not made any effort to engage this group, meanwhile amnesty has been given to repentant Boko haram members while cash has been doled out in the form of ransom through intermediaries to bandits. In fact, this government without court judgement declares IPOB a terrorist group. This hard-line approach will eventually drive the members underground and the consequences will be catastrophic, re igniting the Boko Haram style of insurgency in the south east.   

Making Nigeria attract foreign direct Investment

Nigeria has not been able to attract direct foreign investment to the country; this is due to the downturn in the global economy as a result of COVID 19. Leading economies of the world are gradually recovering from this pandemic. Nigeria has not fared better because of security issues. In addition, the economic and fiscal policies are unfavourable to attract foreign investments.

But Buhari felt otherwise. He said and I quote: “You remember (during the ENDSARS protests) the young people who wanted to match here and remove me? Tell the youths if they want jobs, they should behave themselves and make sure the environment is secure so people can invest. Nobody will invest money in an unstable environment”

Solution

It seems the President is paranoid over his removal in office by military coup in 1985. Buhari was removed in a bloodless coup by his military colleagues in a palace coup. It is high time for the President to get over his paranoia and engage Nigeria youths.

In conclusion, it is not all knocks for President Buhari. This interactive interview has shown more than never that Buhari is healthy and in charge unlike speculations and rumours that were rife. It was alleged he was ruling through proxies. The Buhari I listened to is articulate though exhibiting more of a dictatorial tendency than a democrat.

In his choice of appointment of General Farouk Yahaya as the new chief of army staff, he defended the infantry general having the capacity to deliver as he has exceled in many military operations. My wish is that the President will have the political will to listen to the voice of reasons particularly from his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo that called for a national conference of eminent personalities to discuss the way forward. Time is ticking, tensions are building most especially from agitators of Oduduwa and Biafra republics. He should act more like an elder statesman by reviewing his hard stance on burning national issues and find a way of dousing the tension across the country

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