Toba Owojaiye Reporting
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Former Chief Of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria is primarily linked to the political class, stressing that a robust political determination is the key to addressing it.
He conveyed this during the 2023 National Public Service Lecture and the 65th anniversary of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association’s second stanza.
In his lecture titled “Public Service and the Imperatives for National Security in Nigeria,” Buratai shared that calls for his removal as COAS under the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, concerning insecurity, were influenced by personal biases rather than a fair assessment of his performance.
It is essential to approach discussions about national security with impartiality, focusing on pertinent aspects rather than personal biases.
He highlighted that the National Assembly had passed resolutions calling for the dismissal of the service chiefs, which the President, Muhammadu Buhari, rebuffed, suggesting it was an attempt to undermine democracy by the military.
Buratai underlined the need for political actors to recognize that the insecurity, ongoing since 2009, was instigated by the political class and could be overcome with a resolute political will.
Buratai also advised political actors and public servants to uphold integrity by shunning corruption. He pointed out that politicians often make grand promises during election campaigns but fail to fulfill them once in power.
This lack of accountability diminishes public trust and perpetuates the perception that politicians prioritize their interests over the people’s.