PDP Demands Sack of Defence Minister for ‘Defend Yourself’ Against Bandits’ Comment

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate sack of the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi, for asking Nigerians to defend themselves against armed criminals terrorizing parts of the country.

The party said that the minister’s comments, besides been prove that he has abdicated his statutory duties, is reckless and a confirmation that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has been overwhelmed by bandits.

The major opposition party also described the comment as an indication that the government has lost its determination and will to end insecurity in the country.

PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyab, said “it is unthinkable that a government would describe unarmed victims of armed aggression of terrorist and bandits as ‘cowards’ while those who were elected and given the necessary resources to defend them recede into the comfort and safety of their offices in Abuja.

“Such disposition to security; a statutory responsibility of government, goes to validate apprehensions that our nation is indeed descending to a failed state under the Buhari Presidency, where government can no longer perform its duties while unarmed citizens are left to confront bandits and warlords.

“Given the silence by the Buhari Presidency, our party holds that the defeatist comment by the minister represents the disposition of President Muhammadu Buhari and his security architecture, and explains why the administration has remained complacent in the fight against terrorism and banditry in our country,” the party said.

The PDP said that such statement by the Buhari administration, at the time it ought to be scaling up its security strategies to guarantee the safety of all Nigerians, have been emboldening bandits, terrorists and kidnappers to escalate their atrocities against the compatriots.

“Moreover, with such disposition, the Buhari administration is creating a lucrative job for bandits, terrorists and kidnappers who are settled with huge ransom instead of being faced with firepower,” the party said.

PDP, however, urged Nigerians not to despair at this moment but brace up as it has become obvious that Nigerians are now in a despondent situation where government has shown that it can no longer defend the citizens.