By Julius Oweh
It is a pity that most Nigerians are taken away by the distraction of the moslem/moslem presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress leaving the looming danger of the prospect of a caliphate enveloping the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This ought to occupy the minds of those who want the very best for the soul of Nigeria and the future of our children. Even the hardcore Fulanis are having sleepless nights as the terrorists of the Islamic mold are closing on Abuja, the seat of the country. The occupants of Aso Rock are no more contemplating their political navel and are nervous that the dare devil terrorists are marching very close to them.
This is not armed chair journalistic speculation. Let us look at the frightening facts. The terrorists issued a threat that President Muhammdu Buhari and a state governor shall be kidnapped. If you think it is an empty boast, convince me why the elite Brigade of Guards was ambushed and some soldiers killed. Schools in Abuja are in forced holiday out of fear that the terrorists might strike. This is coming on the heels of the attack on Kuje prison in Abuja and setting free 879 inmates, 64 of them are Boko Haram terrorists. In July 2021, bandits shot down a Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet in Zamfara. The war was even carried to the heart of the military establishment as the Nigerian Defence Academy was attacked in a broad daylight, killing two officers and another abducted.
As you read this piece, most of the North East and North West are under the control of the terrorists/bandits and they are collecting taxes and rates from local government areas and communities. Zamfara, Kaduna,Plateau, Benue and Niger states are under the strong hold of the terrorists and you simply shake your head whether there is government in Nigeria. Non-state actors are heavily armed and giving orders to helpless citizens. The primary purpose of governance, the security and welfare of the citizens exist only in the constitution and is not given practical ventilation. Today in Niger State, the bandits are in charge of two local government areas. The National Assembly and the presidency should explain to Nigerians what the military establishment has done with N900 billion voted for security this year.
Today Boko Haram, Ansaru, ISWAP, bandits and Fulani herdsmen are challenging the authority of the government. Most of the forests in the South are occupied by Fulani herdsmen destroying people`s farms and committing murder yet the government is looking the other side. Those who are saying that Buhari is soft on the Fulani because he belongs to them have a point, but the elite Northern Elders Forum has distanced itself from the poor governance of Buhari. Recently the Northern Elders Forum asked the president to resign because of insecurity. Some senators are also asking the president to tackle the issue of insecurity or they were ready to impeach him. Though it looks like an empty threat but at least they are making noise. According to Nigerian Security Tracker, from January to June, this year, 5,222 violent killings occurred in Nigeria.
Nigeria is on the road to Afghanistan. Nigeria is indeed and in truth a failed state because non-state actors are dictating what should happen in the country. A theocratic state of Islamic mold or a caliphate is in the making. A caliphate is an Islamic state where the strictest form of Islamic tenets is applied and it is headed by a caliph. Such a leader sees himself as the commander of the faithful and a representative of God. These are issues that should worry the political elites and the presidential candidates of the PDP, APC and Labour Party. These politicians are not bothered but are more enamored with the capture of power. I will not be party to those saying that next year election should be postponed and the security issue should be tackled. Equally I do not buy the argument that President Muhammadu Buhari is incapable of solving the security issue. It is more of appeasement and it would be a tragedy beyond compare if the nation collapses under his watch. It would not be funny for Africa and the international community. Nigeria is already a failed state despite the pretense of those holding the reins of power.
Those who are living in the denial that everything is well with the nation should be told to wake up from the delusion. There is crisis everywhere and no day passes without one form of attack by the dreaded terrorists. Make no mistake about the determination of these terrorists. They are driven by the insane and toxic ideology that they are on a jihad to purge Nigeria of infidels and should they die in the course of establishing a theocratic state, they would go to paradise where they would be welcome by seven virgins. In fact they are on suicide mission. The onus is on Buhari to give the military a marching order to eliminate them. I am wondering why the present administration is still keeping the heads of the various security units. There must be a collective fight to rescue the ship of the nation. Should the threat of kidnapping the president come to reality, then the country administration has collapsed and the dreaded caliphate shall envelop the nation. Our senators should know that the issue is beyond impeaching the president. What is at stake is saving the nation from the terrorists who are scout ready to turn the nation into a grave yard. Afghanistan is very close. I rest my case.
