Useni to FG: You’re Pampering Terrorists

•Says politics fueling insecurity, urges govt to change tactics

Chuks Okocha

A former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni (retd), has accused the federal government of pampering terrorists with its approach to the growing insecurity in the government. 

Useni, who also advised the government  to change tactics in tackling various security challenges confronting Nigeria, however, noted that politics was fueling the insecurity.

Useni said this at an informal parley with media executives in Abuja, yesterday.

The former governor and Minister of Transport during the military era, who also represented Plateau South senatorial district in the Eighth Senate, said, “Government is pampering terrorists,” even as he added that politics was fuelling insecurity in the country.

According to him, “What is happening now is worrying, especially, insecurity because people are killing people anyhow.”

Asked how government could address insecurity after deploying kinetic forces across the country appeared to have failed, he replied: “Just look at the people you have appointed and given such responsibilities and give instructions and directives on what should be done and should be done.

“What is happening now is that even some state governors give money to bandits to stop attacking them, so, you are encouraging them. When the money finishes, they come back again. When you deal with them properly, things will change. As a military man, even as a governor, if you commit (any) offence, you are removed and punished.

“Well, you see, this is a civilian government. Politics is different.  Once you say something and they ask which party you belong to, that colours everything. It shouldn’t be so. We should listen.

“We are not in the same party,  even if in the same party, I can criticise the party, even from a different party, I can criticise! But, if you do so, they would say you are doing so as an enemy. There are many generals; we know ourselves and they can advise (government), okay?”

He noted that the security challenges facing the country needed to be addressed by ensuring discipline in the military, while reiterating that the country needed to do more to contend in security.

Useni said, “I’m worried about what is happening in the Plateau. Today, the peace in Jos has gone, the killings in the Jos are gradually becoming like what we have in the north west and north east.”

Speaking on the 2023 general election, Useni said Nigerians should allow merit and competence as part of the criteria for electing the next president rather than zoning, ethnic or religious affiliations.

He said it was his prayer that the best candidate, who is patriotic and have the interest of the country at heart, will emerge at the end of the day.

The former FCT minister, therefore, advised the younger politicians “to take the interest of the people and the country as a matter of priority and respect the elders and be committed to the common good of the people.”