‘Mr President, Nigeria Is Bleeding To Coma’ — Buhari’s Ex-Minister Decries Killings In North

Reactions have continued to trail the recent gruesome killing of many travelers and worshipers in parts of northern Nigeria by suspected bandits.

A former minister in the present administration, Solomon Dalung, on Monday, voiced his frustration over the country’s worsening insecurity and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive steps to stop the country from “bleeding to coma”.

Dalung said he would not betray his conscience or allow himself to be turned into “a sycophant” by failing to speak up against the current state of affairs in the name of proving his loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The ex-minister was responding to those accusing him of criticizing the government because he was relieved of his position as sports minister in Buhari’s first term.

“I have spoken against what in my considered opinion does not represent the integrity of leadership and sustained running battles with those whose motives contradict our intentions to effect change in governance, these and many more are things that are done behind the scene which I am not seeking the endorsement of any jaundice bigotry or sadistic mediocrity.

“How many people who served in government today speak against the dangerous trends confronting the nation? Should I fear the voices of cowardice, religious bigots, ethnic chauvinists or urban guerillas who feed fat on the ignorance and gullibility of the people? I am guided by conscience, I can’t sleep with my two eyes close while lives are being reduced to statistics particularly in the North and other parts of the country and all you expect from me is dignified silence?” he queried in a Facebook post.

Dalung said regardless of how anybody feels, he would continue to “say it to your face whether it pleases you or not” as the “truth is eternal (and) I am incompetent to sugar coat.”

He added, “My loyalty to President Mohammadu Buhari is support him to discharge the burden of trust Nigerian people reposed in him and not to be a praise singer. This was the covenant that brought us together, I pray I don’t betray him with the current temptations of trying to recruit me as a sycophant. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, Mr. President, Nigeria is bleeding to coma.”

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, similarly took to his Facebook page on Monday to bemoan the daily loss of lives in the north due to activities of bandits.

“It is high time we take the challenge of securing the north very seriously. The recent heightened acts of banditry and killings in Katsina and Sokoto states remind us that the security in the North is an emergency, and the government must move from complacency into action. On behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in such gruesome situations. May Allah forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant their souls eternal rest,” he wrote.