By Ken Afor
Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has advocated for the need for a state police in Nigeria to curb the steady rise of insecurity.
The PDP chieftain while addressing journalists in Lagos on Wednesday described the security situation in the country as extremely distressing and deeply saddening, saying that no place in the country is safe.
Given the state governors’ inability to have full control of security in their states, George made it known that it is imperative to adopt the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.
While proffering solutions to the country’s alarming rate of insecurity, the former governor of Ondo State called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a matter of urgency to convey a security meeting with retired generals to find a workable solution to insecurity.
He added that there can be a significant improvement in the fight against insecurity with the use modern technology.
According to him, “The situation in the country today as per security matters is horrendous and it is heart-wrenching. Everywhere, nobody is safe. There is a lot of modern equipment that the military must buy. Drones should be used. If we are serious, we can procure these equipment and train our military personnel on how to use them.
“Even Yemen uses drones. If they say there are kidnappers, hoodlums or bandits somewhere our people can be trained to combat them because grammatology cannot save us anymore. My suggested solution is simple. Is there a need for state police? Yes. Mr Tinubu must not shy away from it.”
While many academicians, lawyers, and policy analysts have advocated for a change to the 1999 Constitution, George, a former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), stated that the Constitution is one of the many obstacles hindering the country’s growth.
He said that the constitution which is a military concept has relegated decision making in security matters to an individual thereby limiting the powers of state governors to take fight insecurity.
“This constitution is part of the obstacles that are recklessly disturbing the growth of our nation. It is a military concept allowing only one man to decide. The governors have limited powers to fight insecurity. The impact of a community police is unimaginable because they will speak the community’s language, interact with the people and they will also be familiar with the acceptable norms in that community.
“Right now, we are on the precipice of a total collapse. A report had been written. We must take that constitutional conference report and implement it. Former President Goodluck Jonathan handed the full report to former President Muhammadu Buhari and I remember his comment ‘please, put it in the archives.’ The result of that statement is what we are experiencing now.
“We are failing and whatever money can be spent should be used in acquiring new technology. You don’t use common eyes now to watch, there are drones and our officers can be taught. The President must invite all elders who have held one position or the other in the military for a discussion because this insurrection has become a national calamity. It is very urgent.
“We assisted Liberia, Sierra Leone and we were also there in Somalia. Let the President handpick some of the retired generals because the current situation isn’t for one man to think through. Though it is scary, with honesty of purpose and prayers, this raging storm will be quiet if we are absolutely committed to this country.”
