There was insecurity in my govt, but it’s getting worse under Buhari – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has decried the worrying insecurity situation in Nigeria under the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan, who noted that issues of insecurity in Nigeria has always been, and was also experienced under his government, however said that the situation is getting worse on daily basis under the government of his successor, Buhari.

He spoke on Tuesday in Akure, the Ondo State capital when he paid a condolence visit to Afenifere leader and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, over the killing of his daughter by suspected bandits along Ore-Benin expressway last Friday.

“Every generation faces problems and this generation must find ways to solve these problems. Every government faces problems. The first commercial kidnapping, because it involved money, happened in 2006 when I was the governor of Bayelsa State. From that time, it moved to terrorism in the north. Now, it is a major problem in the country.

“The Federal Government, in conjunction with state governments, must design a different approach to this issue. I was there as President and security challenge was there but now, it is getting worse every day and we can’t continue to use the same old method,” Jonathan said.

On what Buhari should do to curtail activities of criminals across the country, the former president said, “I believe the Federal Government should set up a special unit like we set up EFCC and ICPC to handle corruption cases, so that they will know that their responsibility is to manage this kidnapping, killings and the rest.  We can’t continue like this; it is not possible.

“We can’t even talk about managing the economy of this country when people are not safe. The economy is for the people, people must be alive to enjoy infrastructure. If you do all the roads in the country and people cannot move about, the roads become meaningless.”

On Obasanjo’s latest letter to Buhari where he advised the incumbent President to summon a national conference to seek solution to insecurity in the country, Jonathan said, “A lot of things were discussed during the national conference organized during my time as President. The issue of security, state and community policing were discussed. I always believe that government should look at that report, it was not written by me.

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“We should not play politics with serious national issues. If we look at that report, there are recommendations that border on security and if there is area that needs to be expanded because I believe everyday new ideas come up, it should be updated.

“There is nothing wrong holding a specific meeting to look at the issue of security. I believe the federal and state governments should have a new approach by deploying technology to protect our people.”

 

 

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