A presidential aspirant in the 2019 general elections, Mr. AIi Soyode, has called on the three tiers of government to increase the level of security required for peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.
Soyode stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property as enshrined in the constitution and on moral, cultural and religious grounds.
Soyode, who was reacting to recent developments in the country, said more than 2000 people lost their lives over preventable conflict and issues such as communal crises, herdsmen/farmer’s clashes, gas explosion and lack of heath care facilities, among others.
He emphasised that the economic losses resulting from such a situation would affect the growth, earnings and investment drives of any country.
While commenting on the recent killings in Plateau State, Soyode said the delay in creating immediate response by leaders had reduced the hope and security expected by the people.
He added that local people needed their hopes to be built positively, demanding the arrest of the perpetrators of the killings, who he said should be brought to book in competent courts of law.
Pointing to the economic losses that accrue from such deaths, Soyode said more should be done by state and Federal governments to bring back wholly the rule of law and ensure its full compliance as failure to do so would lead to more hardship for the ordinary citizens of Nigeria.
He said, “All these can be avoided and curtailed if the people feel the leadership is there for them. It is unfortunate and saddening to read, watch or listen to news daily about the challenges and crises as there is always an opportunity to give peace a chance.
“Peace helps communities to build their economy, have better things of life, enjoy the structures provided by governments and make the compliance with the rule of law easier. We do not need the sad news daily facing us when we can all collectively do better to help build a nation, which has all the necessary resources to be great.”
However, Soyode commended the nation’s Armed Forces for working with the resources available to them, especially those in the frontline, noting that as more resources and welfare are provided, they should become more motivated and inspired to do more for the nation.
He added that it had become imperative for the state governors to consider the state security option as several governors have complained of the lack of power to secure their domains.
“Let me appeal to the members of National Assembly, Federal Government and the leaders to see to the urgent need to protect all Nigerians. I am appealing to them to see to it that security is very pivotal and I believe this can be done within a period of three months, because Nigerians need peace and peace brings in the capacity required for growth in business and investments,” he said.
He, however, said that there should be summit of all aspirants for political office, “where the issue of peace, the values of electorate consideration and the importance of each candidate, their followers and parties to walk the path of keeping our nation united, will be discussed and tabled with a resolution agreed at the end of it.”
