Nigeria security situation appalling - Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised the alarm over the security situation in the country and described it as appalling.


He said the Federal Government lacks the political will to stop the menace being caused by the members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

The former Vice President, who said this in an interview with Voice of America, which was monitored in Abuja on Friday, added that the security problem in the country was already affecting the image of the country internationally.

He said since he was born, has has never witnessed the type of security problem facing the country now, adding that even during the civil war, the situation was not as bad.

Atiku, who was a founding member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party but has defected to the All Progressives Congress, however suggested ways to end the security crisis.

He said, “The security situation in the country, I must admit is appalling. I have never seen it this bad – not even during the civil war did we have this sense of insecurity all over the country?

“What we need to have in place is a political leadership that has the will, the courage and the determination to restore law and order. Restoring law and order is a multifaceted approach; both social, economic as well as security

“You must have a political leadership that has vision, the will and the courage to pursue those multifaceted approach.”

Atiku said it would be wrong to say his criticism of the government’s handling of the security situation was because he belongs to the opposition party.

But in order to get out of the crisis, he said it would be better to stop shifting blames.

According to him, “It’s not supported by any empirical evidence. I think we should stop passing the buck at each other.

“As long as this security situation is concerned we should work as a team, the whole country. Whether opposition whether ruling party, we should work as a team to make sure that we restore peace, unity and stability.”

Asked about the possibility of the APC dislodging the ruling party in the 2015 general election, he said it was possible.

He said, “I have never seen a climate that gives the opposition so much hope than today. Because since the return of democracy, Nigeria has been governed by only one ruling political party, and Nigerians really want to see a change.

“I toured the country and this sense of change is pervasive. So if the APC can put its house in order, Nigerians will give that party the opportunity.”

He said as the chairman of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee of the APC, he has been touring the country to appease aggrieved members.

He, however, said it was wrong to say he was using the position to enhance his alleged presidential ambition.

Atiku said, “All I was trying to do is to make sure that we provided Nigerians an alternative opposition. This is because I am a firm believer in a two-party system. A two-party system will provide Nigerians with alternatives from time to time.

“A single major or powerful political party will result into a one party system and will ultimately land us into the hands of a dictator. And God-forbid I don’t wish to live and see a dictator in Nigeria.”