….. Urges him to desist from politicising insecurity
By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan APC Borno Central has advised the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris to kindly emulate the good works of his predecessors in the likes of Lai Mohammed, Labaran Maku, Jerry Gana, Uche Chukwumerije, Walter Ofonagoro, Chukwu Emeka Chikelu and John Nwodo Junior among others who had focused on their co-mandate by projecting the good image of the Federal government.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Lawan, a copy which was made available to our Correspondent in Maiduguri on Thursday morning.
The Borno Senator who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), expressed shock at the Minister who, instead of promoting the polices and programmes of the present administration under President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, chose to politicize the lingering insecurity and Boko Haram crisis that is bedeviling the people of Borno and the North East sub-region.
Recall last Tuesday at the end of an Expanded Security Council Meeting comprised of Heads of Security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Maiduguri, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who chaired the important and timely meeting suggested that the state may be losing control to Boko Haram insurgents, due to the renewed Boko Haram attacks which have so far dislodged Military Formations in Wulgo, Sabon Gari, Wajirko, Izge among others.
Zulum who acknowledged the tremendous efforts of the federal government and security agencies, particularly the military in the fight against insurgents expressed worry over scores of soldiers, other security agencies and innocent civilians who have been killed in recent attacks.
However, in a press statement issued to Journalists on Wednesday signed by the Minister, Idris disagreed with Zulum’s claim. The minister emphasised that the administration remains committed to combating terrorism and banditry across the nation.
He argued that the security agencies are working round-the-clock to bring the situation in parts of Borno State under control.
Reacting to the Minister’s argument, Senator Lawan said: ” The utterances of the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris to His Excellency, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum over the recent security council meeting held with members of the security council and traditional rulers including the Shehu of Borno, HRH, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi in attendance is very unfortunate and disrespectful.
“It is also uncalled for the Minister who seats in Abuja to respond to the Chief Security Officer of Borno State who has been recieving first hand information and security briefings from security agencies as well as traditional rulers.
“More so, His Excellency the Governor has been trying his best in complementing efforts of the federal government since 2019 to date in the fight against insurgency, kidnapping and other criminalities in the state.
” Just last month, Borno State Governor, Professor Zulum distributed another 110 brand new operational vehicles, 500 motorcycles and 280 houses to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
“The distribution which was one of the many series was flagged off by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who commended the initiative and described Zulum as a PERFORMING GOVERNOR in the fight against insecurity in the North East.
“It is disheartening to note that instead of the Minister to focus on his co-mandate of projecting the federal government in good light, he is involving himself in trivial matters with a view to gain cheap popularity.
“Let me advise Minister Idris to emulate the works of his predecessors in the likes of Lai Mohammed, Labaran Maku, Jerry Gana, Uche Chukwumerije, Walter Ofonagoro, Chukwu Emeka Chikelu and John Nwodo Junior among others who had focused on their co-mandate during their time as good Image makers.
“It is very unfortunate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration do not have a good Information Minister to promote his government policies and programmes. The Minister should therefore learnt from his predecessors, and desist from attacking State Governors like Zulum who is also the Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF).
“In case the Minister didn’t know, President Tinubu and almost all the Service Chiefs had at various occasions commended governor Zulum at the sub-national level in handling the security situation which has led to resettlement of millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes with dignity, as well as thousands of Boko Haram terrorists surrendered to troops.
“I challenge the Minister to come down to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital and engage with troops on frontline, Governor Zulum and other security stakeholders, before making any statement.
“It is also funny that the Minister has not for once sympathise with the government and people of Borno state following Boko Haram attacks and killings in the region.
“The federal government under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has carried out many developmental projects and policies for over 20 months, unfortunately we have not seen or read it anywhere because of the insensitivity of the Information Minister. He should therefore exercise restraint on further attack (s) on Borno State Government.
“This is because, as Senator Representing Borno Central, and a former member of Borno Security Council, we are very much in constant touch with Governor Zulum and other security agencies. While pledging our unflinching support and loyalty to the federal government, Ministers like Mohammed Idris should be weary of unverified information or statement issued on behalf of the federal government”. Senator Lawan queried
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