In this interview with AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, decries the state of the Nigerian nation, warning that unless proactive steps are taken to salvage the situation, the country may degenerate into deeper crises similar to those in warring nations like Somalia, Lebanon, and Yugoslavia. Excerpts:
A cross-section of Nigerians, including critical stakeholders, is apprehensive about the insecurity in the land with warning calls. What is your perception of this?
There’s so much insecurity in our country. It has escalated from the Boko Haram terrorists of the North-East to the terrorists and bandits of the North-West to the unrestrained killings by herders and extremists of the North-Central, to the kidnappings, killings, raping by the herders, and criminals in the South-West, South-South, and South-East. The wave of insecurity has escalated to the level that the Minister of Defence and the Katsina State Governor had asked each individual to rise up and defend themselves. The Southern governors and a few of the Northern governors have risen up to enact laws forbidding open grazing as part of their efforts to curb the insecurity. Some states have established state security outfits. And, this is because every effort that had been made at the federal level to overhaul the security architecture had failed.
It would appear that the Federal Government that has the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people appear not to be listening to the people and the other tiers of government. The Federal Government of Nigeria is still talking about grazing routes in 26 states in flagrant violation of the Land Use Acts enshrined in the Constitution that vests ownership and management of land in the state governors. The Federal government would appear to have adopted a partisan approach. The FGN has granted Katsina State over N5billion to establish ranches while trying to coerce other states into grazing. The FGN tried to obstruct the creation of state security agencies. The FGN has shown naked partisanship in its reactions to insecurities in North Central and Southern states. The FGN would appear to be unmoved by incessant loud complaints by the Sultan, some Emirs, Southern traditional rulers, inter-religious bodies, etc.
The total apparent indifference by the FGN has created the popular view that the FGN is pursuing a Fulanisation Agenda. All these sums up to a pervading fear of rising insecurity in Nigeria.
Many are worried that unless urgent interventions were made, the situation might degenerate; do you share the same thought?
It has reached a level that people are drawing lessons from Afghanistan about the possibility of the country being overrun by these Taliban-alike terrorists. It has reached a level where some (people) believe that the solution lies in the dissolution of the country.
Unfortunately, the terrorists and bandits are getting what they need. First, they are getting attention, recognition, and often legitimacy when governments begin to negotiate with them. Secondly, they are getting the paralysis of the people by the fear of the power and strength of these terrorists. This paralysis leads to inaction by the populace to confront these terrorists. President Roosevelt once called a situation like this ‘FEAR OF FEAR.’ It is a remorseless fear that is being propagated every day about the invincibility of the terrorists, bandits, and criminals.
The unholy triangle can only win when the people lack the will to confront them. What a bully needs is to be bullied back. And, the media has a responsibility not to deify these terrorists, usually with massive legs of clay. The media must demystify them. After all, the SEAL from the US came to Nigeria to retrieve an American from their clutches. The media must celebrate instances, and they are many, where Amotekun and such other State security outfits had dealt with these terrorists. They must reinforce their confidence and courage by showing that there had been instances where the Nigerian Army had defeated the terrorists. People must know that with a collective will, courage and action, the terrorists will be defeated.
You said that ‘the unholy triangle can only win only when the people lack the will to confront them…’ What much can the people do where the FG refuses to approve the citizens right to own light weapon like a pump action, while terrorists bear AK-47 and 49 rifles?
“Unfortunately, at that time, they will not wait for government-licensed guns. They will acquire them the same way the terrorists acquired them
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I know that citizens need to apply for licences. The terrorists, bandits and criminals carry these weapons without licenses. There are three things that we can do. First, we can mount a sustained campaign (by) mounting pressure on FGN to grant license to the State Security Outfits. The people must support the state governments on this. Secondly, the Criminal Code allows for self-defense so long as the instrument of self defense is not heavier and greater than the instrument of attack. Third, we can revert to the use of our African Science. The use of these enabled the Agbekoyas to overpower the military. I was already in WNTV/WNBS then. So, it was not hearsay. Finally, we must put pressure, in a very sustained and powerful form, for a rearrangement of the federal structure of Nigeria.
How do you mean sir?
We can look into the structure in our 1963 Constitution. We can look into the distribution of functions, duties and resources as contained in that Constitution. The clamour must not be spasmodic. The pressure must be on all levels of government. Pressure must be on National and state Assemblies. We must use the judiciary the way the Rivers State did in the case of Value Added Tax.
You said with assurance that there would be no group that can overrun Nigeria like the Taliban in Afghanistan did. But, it’s being argued that those killing and terrorising the southern farmers, and kidnapping the people have the bigger expansionist interest at heart; aren’t you underrating the potentials of the elements that attacked the NDA and engaged in other daring escapades?
The facts involved in Afghanistan are not the same in Nigeria. Afghanistans are 99per cent Muslims. Whether Taliban or non- Taliban, they share a common religion. The difference is whether you want full Sharia law or you want democracy. There will be those who are not Taliban who will think it is worth it fighting because of Sharia. In Afghanistan, there are about 14 ethnic nations and the largest is the Taliban tribe which is about 34per cent. Finally, in history, the Taliban had never been defeated. In Nigeria, there are major religions that are not Muslim. The protagonists of such religions will fight and may not just surrender like the non-Taliban Muslims. Secondly, Nigeria consists of over 300 ethnic nations. And, no matter how much lie is told, the terrorists do not constitute the majority ethnic unit. Thirdly, the Nigerian Armed Forces are neither mono-ethnic nor mono-religious. The multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of the Nigerian Armed Forces will be a major impediment.
Fourthly, these terrorists had been defeated in history. They had been defeated by the Yorubas of the South-West. They never overpowered the Kanuris of the North-East. They never had a confrontation with the ethnic nations of the South-East and South-South. Even the Hausas whose kings they once conquered are already rediscovering themselves, and they will constitute the stumbling block that will impede. Finally, I want to recall the historical conflict between the Ugbo and Ife. When the Ifes, through Moremi, found the underbelly of the Ugbo, they became the conquerors. When the present veil of “cannot be conquered” is lifted from the terrorists, the masses will defeat them. When the remorseless fear being imposed on the people by the mass and social media is penetrated, the people will rediscover the will to protect and defend themselves. Not everyone will accept to live on their knees. The majority will opt to die standing to defend their heritage. Unfortunately, at that time, they will not wait for government-licensed guns. They will acquire them the same way the terrorists acquired them. The international warmongers who want to make money will descend like hawks unto the scenes. We might end up creating scenarios similar to that of Somalia, Lebanon, Yugoslavia. And that will be pitiable and tragic. It’s to avoid such tragedy that those who are in a position to do something, should take urgent action on a nonpartisan — either ethnic, religious or political — basis. They should remember their proclamation that they belong to no one but all. It is the same reason that we should not make the terrorists and bandits believe that they can overrun Nigeria like the Taliban appear doing in Afghanistan. The terrain is different. The facts are different. And the story will be different. I know that because we don’t know who may or may not survive the anarchy and darkness.
Those governing Nigeria will redirect Nigeria to the path of truth, equity, justice, growth and development.
