ON BOLA TINUBU’S SOLUTION TO NIGERIA’S INSECURITY PROBLEM – IS THAT THE BEST HE CAN COME UP WITH?

By Zik Gbemre

I was a bit taken aback and surprised, when the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, recently asked the Federal Government to recruit at least 50 million Nigerian youths into the Nigerian Army to address the insecurity situation in the country. In his speech at a colloquium to celebrate his 69th birthday in Kano State, Tinubu said taking this step will boost Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. What was even more embarrassing to me was his suggestion that: “…Recruit 50 million youths into the army and take away from their recruitment source, what they will eat -cassava, corn, will grow here (Kano).” In other words, this is his idea of giving the new recruiters a ‘balanced diet.’ As someone noted: “Nigerian youths are only good enough to eat cassava, corn and yam…or if they are generous, add kpomo (cow skin). This is how they see you the youth of this country!”

The only thought that occupied my mind after reading this, was, is that the best advice the national leader of the ruling party could come up with, in addressing the overwhelming insecurity situation in the country? Is that the answer to the insecurity problem in Nigeria? Will the recruitment of Nigerian youths, pave way for this insecurity menace to be addressed holistically and bring about sustainable development? What I also find more disturbing was the fact that when Tinubu said this, some persons even applauded him. And looking at those who clapped for that idea, it shows Nigeria indeed has a ‘followership problem.’

However, I am 100 percent certain that the majority of Nigerians do not think so. Even the youths themselves, whom Tinubu is advocating to be recruited in the army, do not share that same view, as many of them have already trended the topic on social media handles, expressing their disgust and disappointment with the said suggestion. According to some of the comments made in this regard: “Most forward-thinking countries don’t want to even fight wars using their citizens anymore…Robotics and Technology have taken over. They will not be fighting gorilla war with Bokoharam and kidnappers… But here we are again… Since Baba Tinubu is now a nutritionist and security expert…2015 on autorepeat.” Another person said: “Baba went silent as if something inspiring was about to be said. Only to confirm our doubts that the political class is all just irresponsible and clueless towards the yearnings of the masses.” Yet another commentator said: “I’m embarrassed for everyone affiliated with this man in any way, including myself. I’m especially sorry for the unfortunate people who clapped at this nonsense…”

Someone also commentated that: “He needs to get all his children into the Nigerian Army first. We need to have kids of the elites into the Nigerian Army to battle these insurgents…” Another said: “These old people don’t rate youths and young people at all in this country. 50 million youths into the army? See how he condescendingly mentioned what the youths will eat: yam, corn… In the history of the world, the largest military force ever assembled was in World War II, and was about 12 million by the United States. This included the Army, Navy, and Airforce, with good equipment and resources. Then you cannot share palliatives, or pay the existing soldiers their allowances as at when due, not to mention ill-equipping them; yet you want to recruit 50 million youths…”

Every time one looks at Nigeria and its political leaders, the only conclusion that comes to mind, is the fact that over the years and even till present, Nigerian politicians are becoming more bereft of ideas as regards addressing the myriad of problems plaguing the nation, and entrenching good governance and leaving impeccable and admirable legacies that would outlive them. The saddest part is that we see them keep repeating the same or similar line of actions, with the belief that things will somehow change for the better. But of course, things have continued to get worse across the country.

What I also find out of the place is the fact that Tinubu could not tell the President, Muhammadu Buhari, the bitter truth in his speech. And this is because he apparently sees nothing wrong with the President’s response and actions so far, in supposedly tackling the insecurity and economic problems in the country. Whereas, it has become evidently clear that the present Buhari-led administration are either simply overwhelmed by the insecurity situation in the country, or they are not being totally honest and willing to eradicate the problem to the barest minimum. When we look at how the insecurity problem has increased tremendously under the Buhari-led Federal Government in the last six years or so, it is simply because, over these years, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has chosen instead to pamper these insurgents and criminals, maybe because they are of his Fulani stock, rather than crush them headlong without mercy. That is the honest, but the sad truth of the insecurity situation in the country. And one would have expected Tinubu, if he really means well for the country, to tell his friend and political party member this bitter truth, and demand that he changes his ways. But he couldn’t have, and it is simply because they are all birds of the same feather.

Tinubu and his likes, as well as all the present political leaders at the Federal Government level and State levels, should be reminded that, if a country like Nigeria with vast natural resources and human capital and staggering population of youths, should be made by them to continue on its current ‘destructive and lack of innovation path,’ and the hope that things will automatically change overnight; that is nothing but WISHFUL THINKING AND DAY DREAMING. Rather, they should be scared of the fact that if things should continue like this, we fear it will one day explode on our faces, and none of them will be safe wherever they are. They should use the opportunities they have now in their leadership positions, to do the right things and change the unhealthy narrative before it is too late.

Zik Gbemre


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