Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has said that he has confidence that Nigeria, can overcome insecurity and kidnapping activities, bedeviling this country , within six months to a year if the country takes a serious stance.
This was just as the lawmaker said he supported the local government autonomy and the idea of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) conducting local government polls.
Senator Ndume stated this while speaking with press in Kano, therefore emphasized the need for adequate support for service chiefs, including manpower, equipment, and resources, along with setting clear deadlines.
He however emphasized several challenges, including a shortage of personnel, inadequate training, and insufficient equipment. Specifically, he noted that Nigerian army formations lack modern arms, citing the absence of new AK-47s, let alone AK-49s.
It’s worth noting that the Nigerian Army has made efforts to upgrade its arsenal, including acquiring Chinese VT4 tanks, T-72 tanks from the Czech Republic, and Type 89 AFVs However, the effectiveness of these additions in addressing the country’s security concerns remains to be seen.
According to him,” We have three challenges in the country fundamentally, Boko Haram, Bandits or Kidnapping and IPoB.’
He however hinted that all these three, interacting with all security agencies, if the government is very serious about these, it can be addressed in six months and at most one year.
Senator added that ” These bandits are not trained and not equipped. Most of the equipments they used are delivered to them or take over from our armed forces.”
But in today’s technology, with advancement in ICT, if they can trace where an individual is effectively, what stops them from tracing where Turji is or criminals? So there is something fundamentally wrong there.
“I commend the Chief of Army Staff for highlighting the unrealistic task of securing 230 million people with meager resources.
He then said that “The solution is to recruit more youths into the Nigerian army, as 70% of our population are young and eager to serve, but lack opportunities and encouragement
. Unfortunately, many are losing faith and becoming desperate, even taking risks to become modern-day slaves in other countries”.
Commenting on electoral process in Nigeria, he noted that it is deliberately complicated to facilitate manipulation.
Ndume therefore added that”:I support local government autonomy and the idea of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) conducting local government polls.
But, one issue being discussed in the National Assembly is the creation of a National Local Government Electoral Commission, and I am not in support of it,”
According to him,it is uncalled for
to create a new body solely for conducting elections every four years, adding that the existing INEC is underutilized and could handle these responsibilities.
He noted that ” The elections in Nigeria are deliberately complicated to allow for manipulation.
Ndume then argued on “Why we don’t make laws that ensure the votes count? Why not enable citizens to elect someone from their phones? Why not allow INEC to monitor elections through technology and create a situation room? Google can tell you your location in real time, so why can’t we leverage technology for our elections?”
He however hinted that the underlying problem with Nigeria’s electoral system is a lack of sincerity, honesty, and fear of God among political leaders.
While commenting on corruption, Senator Ndume said” Our
major challenge in this country is corruption. We have no proactive law to address it.
It is sadden and pathetic that ” In Nigeria, if someone who was poor last week suddenly buys ten cars and a jet, they are celebrated, and people say, ‘God has blessed our son.’ In developed countries, they ask how, when, and where the money came from,”
He lamented over the rampant cases of corruption in Nigeria, saying that those who steal public funds often move freely and are celebrated.
He shared his experience attempting to pass a law on unexplained wealth in the National Assembly, a proposal that has repeatedly failed to gain traction.
