Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central below the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged the Minister of Data and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to concentrate on his mandate of selling a constructive picture of Nigeria, moderately than politicizing the difficulty of insecurity.
The decision comes after Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State raised issues on Tuesday throughout an Expanded Safety Council Assembly in regards to the worsening safety state of affairs within the state, highlighting that Borno “appears to be dropping floor to Boko Haram insurgents.”
Governor Zulum pointed to the current dislodgement of navy formations and rising actions by non-state actors as alarming indicators.
In response, Minister Idris issued a press release on Wednesday insisting that the federal authorities stays dedicated to tackling terrorism and banditry nationwide.
Idris additionally reassured that safety companies are working tirelessly to manage the state of affairs in Borno and different affected areas.
Nevertheless, Senator Shehu Lawan, in a press release on Thursday, criticized Idris for politicizing the safety disaster as a substitute of following within the footsteps of previous ministers who centered on enhancing the picture of the federal authorities.
Lawan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), acknowledged, “Emulate from the likes of Lai Mohammed, Labaran Maku, Jerry Gana, Uche Chukwumerije, Walter Ofonagoro, Chukwu Emeka Chikelu, and John Nwodo (Jnr), amongst others who had centered on their co-mandates by projecting a very good picture of the Federal Authorities.”
He added, “As an alternative of selling the insurance policies and programmes of the current administration below President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I used to be shocked that the Minister selected to politicize the lingering insecurity and Boko Haram disaster that’s bedeviling the individuals of Borno and the North East sub-region.”
Lawan additionally expressed disappointment over Idris’s remarks concerning Governor Zulum’s function, labeling them as “unlucky and disrespectful.” He emphasised that the Minister, sitting in Abuja, shouldn’t undermine the place of the Governor, who’s straight concerned with native safety developments and has been receiving briefings from safety companies and conventional rulers.
Lawan additional identified Governor Zulum’s constant efforts to enhance federal initiatives in combating insurgency, together with a current distribution of operational automobiles, bikes, and homes to safety forces.
“It’s disheartening to notice that as a substitute of the Minister specializing in his co-mandate of projecting the federal authorities in a constructive mild, he’s involving himself in trivial issues to achieve low-cost reputation,” mentioned Lawan.
He additionally challenged Minister Idris to go to Maiduguri, the state capital, to interact with troops on the entrance traces, the Governor, and different key stakeholders, earlier than making additional statements.
Lawan remarked, “It is usually humorous that the Minister has not for as soon as sympathized with the federal government and other people of Borno state following Boko Haram assaults and killings within the area.”
The Senator continued, highlighting the commendations Borno State has obtained from each President Tinubu and navy leaders for Governor Zulum’s work in safety administration, together with the resettlement of displaced individuals and the give up of 1000’s of Boko Haram fighters.
Lawan urged the Data Minister to train warning and keep away from making additional unverified statements. He reaffirmed his unwavering assist for the federal authorities whereas advising that statements must be made with cautious consideration of the information on the bottom.
