Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, wrote an open letter to president Muhammadu Buhari over the insecurity crisis that has beleaguered the country in recent times.
The former Nigerian leader between 1999 and 2007, in the 5-paged letter, dished out advice to the president on how he can steer Nigeria out of the challenges which has attracted concern from citizens of the country and those of Western countries.
His letter comes three days after the killing of the 58-year-old daughter of Yoruba leader, Reuben Fasoranti, Funke Olakunrin, by armed men.
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Recall that in January, Obasanjo wrote an open letter to Buhari, accusing him and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, of plotting to rig the February presidential elections.
The former president had also written Buhari in January 2018, asking him to retire to his Daura hometown over his failure to address the nation’s problems.
THE WHISTLER in this report extracted four major issues the former president urged President Buhari to hastily address.
1. Boko Haram Won’t Go Away On The Basis Of Sticks Alone, Carrots Must Overweigh Sticks’
Obasanjo, in the letter, said contrary to government’s claim, the activities of insurgent group, Boko Haram have remained undiminished.
He, therefore, advised the Buhari-led government to use the “carrot approach” rather the “stick approach” to deal with the issue.
He said, “For over ten years, for four of which you have been the captain of the ship, Boko Haram has menacingly ravaged the land and in spite of government’s claim of victory over Boko Haram, the potency and the activities of Boko Haram, where they are active, remain undiminished, putting lie to government’s claim. The recent explanation of the Chief of Army Staff for non-victory due to lack of commitment and lack of motivation on the part of troops bordering on sabotage speaks for itself.
“Say what you will, Boko Haram is still a daily issue of insecurity for those who are victimised, killed, maimed, kidnapped, raped, sold into slavery and forced into marriage and for children forcibly recruited into carrying bombs on them to detonate among crowds of people to cause maximum destructions and damage. And Boko Haram will not go away on the basis of sticks alone, carrots must overweigh sticks. How else do you deal with issues such as only about 50% literacy in North-East with over 70% unemployment?”
2. “Fulanis Need To Put Grievances Out In The Open”
The former president said Buhari, in his capacity as a Fulani elite and the current captain of the Nigeria ship must ensure that the Fulanis put out their grievances out in the open.
“Herdsmen/farmers crises and menace started with government treating the issue with cuddling glove instead of hammer. It has festered and spread. Today, it has developed into banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and killings all over the country.
“The unfortunate situation is that the criminality is being perceived as a ‘Fulani’ menace unleashed by Fulani elite in the different parts of the country for a number of reasons but even more, unfortunately, many Nigerians and non-Nigerians who are friends of Nigeria attach vicarious responsibility to you as a Fulani elite and the current captain of the Nigeria ship. Perception may be as potent as reality at times. Whatever may be the grievances of Fulanis, if any, they need to be put out in the open and their grievances, if legitimate, be addressed; and if other ethnic groups have grievances, let them also be brought out in the open and addressed through debate and dialogue.
3. “Treat Herdsmen/Farmers Crises With Hammer Not Cuddling Gloves
He advised Buhari to refrain from treating the herdsmen/farmers crisis with a cuddling glove, stating that such treatment is the reason the menace developed into banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and killings all over the country.
He said, “Herdsmen/farmers crises and menace started with government treating the issue with cuddling glove instead of hammer. It has festered and spread. Today, it has developed into banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and killings all over the country. The unfortunate situation is that the criminality is being perceived as a ‘Fulani’ menace unleashed by Fulani elite in the different parts of the country for a number of reasons but even more, unfortunately, many Nigerians and non-Nigerians who are friends of Nigeria attach vicarious responsibility to you as a Fulani elite and the current captain of the Nigeria ship. Perception may be as potent as reality at times. Whatever may be the grievances of Fulanis, if any, they need to be put out in the open and their grievances, if legitimate, be addressed; and if other ethnic groups have grievances, let them also be brought out in the open and addressed through debate and dialogue.
4. “Manage Nigeria’s Diversity
Advising President Buhari to manage the nations diversity, Obasanjo said, “The main issue, if I may dare say, is poor management or mismanagement of diversity which, on the other hand, is one of our greatest and most important assets. As a result, very onerous cloud is gathering. And rain of destruction, violence, disaster and disunity can only be the outcome. Nothing should be taken for granted, the clock is ticking with the cacophony of dissatisfaction and disaffection everywhere in and outside the country. The Presidency and the Congress in the US have signaled to us to put our house in order. The House of Lords in the UK had debated the Nigerian security situation. We must understand and appreciate the significance, implication and likely consequences of such concerns and deliberations.
“No one can stop hate speech, violent agitation and smouldering violent agitation if he fans the embers of hatred, disaffection and violence. It will continue to snowball until it is out of control. A stitch in time saves nine, goes the old wise saying.
5. ”Make Contacts
The Ex-president advised Buhari to make the necessary contacts that will help the country get out of the “mess we are in.”
He said, “Some of the groups that I will suggest to be contacted are: traditional rulers, past heads of service (no matter how competent or incompetent they have been and how much they have contributed to the mess we are in), past heads of para-military organisations, private sector, civil society, community leaders particularly in the most affected areas, present and past governors, present and past local government leaders, religious leaders, past Heads of State, past intelligence chiefs, past Heads of Civil Service and relevant current and retired diplomats, members of opposition and any groups that may be deemed relevant.
“The President must be seen to be addressing this issue with utmost seriousness and with maximum dispatch and getting all hands on deck to help. If there is failure, the principal responsibility will be that of the President and no one else. We need cohesion and concentration of effort and maximum force – political, economic, social, psychological and military – to deal successfully with the menace of criminality and terrorism separately and together. Blame game among own forces must be avoided. It is debilitating and only helpful to our adversary. We cannot dither anymore. It is time to confront this threat headlong and in a manner that is holistic, inclusive and purposeful.”