*Says buck stops at President’s table
By Dapo Akinrefon
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, on Friday, told the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to direct his advice on how to end terrorism in Nigeria to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, and not to Service Chiefs.
According to him, it is wrong for the respected cleric to advise Service Chiefs to end insecurity in 90 days or resign.
He stated that the buck stop on the table of Tinubu, not the Service Chiefs.
Adeboye had urged the Federal Government to give security chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorists or resign from office.
He made the call in a video shared on his X handle on Tuesday, expressing concern over the country’s worsening security situation.
Reacting to the statement, the PDP leader said: “Nobody is saying Pastor Adeboye should command the Commander-in-Chief. No. That is not even possible. But, that advice should be directed at the President, not Service Chiefs. He is the one who should do everything to ensure that Nigerians are safe.
“It is like someone from outside the newsroom advising line editors to ensure that the newspaper gets exclusive stories on page 1 or they should resign within 90 days. That is not the work of an outsider. That is the work of the Daily Editor. If there are no stories to sell the newspaper and the editor is not man enough to whip the line editors into line, it is the editor who will be thrown into the labour market. Simple.
“Tinubu appointed the Service Chiefs. If they are not working, he has the power to give them ultimatum or fire them.
The president should be held accountable for results in the fight against terrorism.
“I am talking as a combatant and a retired General. What is going on does not make any sense at all. It is arrant nonsense, absolute lunacy.
“The most important issue in the country today is how to eliminate these blood-thirsty maniacs and that is the job of the Commander-in-Chief. How he perfects that by directing the Service Chiefs on what to do rests with him.
“The political leadership has relegated security issues to the background. They are only interested in primaries and politics. If the country is on fire, who will come out to vote in 2027?
“No respect for humanity anymore. From North to South, East to West, Nigerians are being abducted and killed. Look at the way Adebayo Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons were abducted in broad day light in the heart of Ibadan. We all watched the video. A former Army spokesman and his wife were abducted last week. Students, pupils and teachers are still in the forest as if we are back in the Stone Age. I feel embarrassed as a retired General. Will there be a country in 2027?”
George advised Tinubu to call a meeting of retired security chiefs and intelligence experts on the way forward.
“Service Chiefs and top serving security officers should also attend the meeting. With intelligence gathering mechanism, right weapons and equipment, to deal with these characters should not be more than 60 days.
“The demand for a maximum review of Nigeria’s security architecture, intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, operational effectiveness and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crimes, should be our priority now. All patriotic Nigerians and opinion leaders must lend their voices to this wake-up call.
“Tinubu must also listen to this urgent call from Nigerians. Enough of rhetorics from those in government.
“The growing concern that not enough has been done to secure Nigerians is a reality that cannot be ignored. And that is the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief because the prolonged captivity of innocent Nigerians diminishes us as a people.
“For millions of Nigerians, everyday is filled with anxiety, worries, fear, uncertainty and emotional trauma. With the spate of banditry across the country, Nigerians want decisive action from those in authority.
“According to our Constitution, security of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government.
“As a combatant and retired General, I know that non state actors cannot be more powerful than the government. When these blood-thirsty lunatics abduct any Nigerian, government’s response must be vicious, quick, swift, decisive, brutal, ruthless and incontrovertible. If that is the only language they understand, so be it.
“I am not talking like a typical politician but as a father, grandfather, husband and a responsible family man. My approach is humanitarian, compassionate and welfarist. Nigerians cannot continue like this and it is not enough for the government to be pointing accusing fingers toward those perceived to be opposed to the President’s reelection in 2027.
“Anybody supporting and financing terrorism should be made to face the music decisively within the confines of law.
“The lives of the victims and their families matter. The lives of security agents matter. The life of an average Nigerian matters. Nigeria is not the only country globally. Enough of this embarrassment”, he said.
