Buhari, who stated this in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled, ‘President Buhari pledges action against bandits’ threat to national food security,’ said importing weapons and training troops in their usage involved a long process.
According to the statement, the President made the appeal while speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after observing the Eid prayer, marking the end of the Ramadan fast.
But in their reactions, the northern sociopolitical organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum told The PUNCH that the President should stop giving excuses.
They said the President was ignorant of plight of Nigerians who were at the mercy of kidnappers and bandits.
The President, in the statement by Shehu was quoted as saying that “I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at time and available resources.
“For example, when we came in, in the North-East, ask people in Adamawa and Borno states and the South-South in terms of security.
“Without security, you can’t do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the North-West and we are dealing with it.”
The President also appealed to the nation’s elite to show a better appreciation of the problems facing the country.
“The elite should make the attempt to understand the military. If we order weapons and armoured vehicles, it takes time for the manufacturer (to deliver them).
“It takes time to ship them and when brought here eventually, they are taken to training institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field. This is a very long process.”
Buhari promised that his regime would use all available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits so that they would no more hinder access to farms.
He said the menace of bandits and kidnappers would be addressed to ensure that the nation’s food security is not threatened.
The President, who hoped for a good rainy season this year, said “the law enforcement agencies are working hard to regain confidence against bandits, so that we can go back to the land. This is very important. This is what the agencies are busy doing right now. We want people to go back to the land so that we can get enough food for the country and even export.”
He also commended the National Assembly for its support, saying, “the National Assembly is cooperating very well. Within the resources available, they are certainly giving us priority on our (military) requests.”
The President and members of his family were joined for the Eid at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet members and the heads of security and intelligence agencies.
The ACF in its reaction to Buhari’s appeal said what Nigerians expected from the President was for him to secure the country.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, Nigerians demonstrated a lot of understanding by re-electing the President in 2019.
“What we expect from the President is for him to understand the plight of the ordinary Nigerian who feels unprotected.
“He should understand that the ordinary Nigerian and maybe his community can be mowed down as it were, kidnapped en mass and heavy ransom placed on them.
“We expect the President to understand that things are bad in terms of security in Nigeria and ordinary farmers are expected to pay bandits before they are granted access to their farms. Nigerians have never really had it this bad.”
On its part, PANDEF faulted the President over his call for Nigerians to show understanding, saying it was unacceptable for him to keep passing the buck to the people.
Spokesman for PANDEF, Ken Robinson, who stated this in a telephone chat with one of our correspondents, said Nigerians were very understanding people and ‘that is why we are still where we are.’
“The President should show understanding that he feels the pain of Nigerians and the way to show that he understands the pain, suffering and the hardship in the land is by acting in a way and manner that will show that he is sincere and serious about not only security issues but also about governance and the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
He identified nepotism as the greatest problem of Buhari’s regime.
“The greatest problem as PANDEF has said before and we will keep repeating without any contradiction is that the greatest problem of Nigeria today is the nepotism and bias conduct of the Buhari government.
He stated, “A typical example and we will continue to say this, that out of 17 top military, para-military and intelligence positions in the country, the southern Nigeria occupies only three, while you have some states occupying two.”
“As you are aware, some prominent Nigerians including the national leader of PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark are in court against the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari over the serial breaches of federal character. So, that is the greatest problem we have.”
Also, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said the only way Nigerians could show understanding was for the President to do the will of the people.
The outgoing Secretary General of the organisation, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, in an interview with newsmen, said Buhari had failed Nigerians because of his inability to protect the country.
He said, “Any government that fails to protect his people is a failure because we govern people to give them protection and to cater for their welfare. So if these two issues are not addressed, it is unfortunate. People cannot show understandin
The PDP said the appeal by the President was noted.
It, however said, it was obvious that his best which he claimed he was doing to tackle insecurity and improve the economy was not good enough.