ATIKU : A DISTANT VOICE FROM THE WILDERNESS. 



Nigeria's one time Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has exposed himself to ridicule, when he accused President Bola Tinubu of insensitivity,for personally attending the burial ceremony of the late mother of the APC National Chairman Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda in Jos last Saturday.


Alhaji Atiku faulted the President's physical presence at the burial ceremony,based on the fact that Asiwaju had never visited the State to commiserate with the people,in the face of terrorists attacks. 


According to him,it was wrong for the President to officially visit the Plateau State for the burial of the mother of his Party's Chairman. 


By all standards and definitions,Alhaji Atiku belongs to the class of the nation's statesmen,in addition to the fact that,he possesses  the qualities of an infamous opposition leader in Nigeria's political landscape.


From the content of his statement and disposition,in the context of insurgency on the Plateau,it would not be out of place, to say that Alhaji Atiku spoke in bad faith and also from an uninformed position . 


Undoubtedly,Asiwaju is the President,Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and on whose shoulders,the security of the citizens of the Country rests,not withstanding the fact that the State Governors too,owe the people the Constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in their respective jurisdictions. 


In crisis situations,the President usually gives marching orders to the security agencies to at all cost restore peace and order,in addition to providing logistics support to effectively carry out their mandates. 


Suffice to mention that,in the case of Plateau state,Governor Caleb Mutfwang,a few days ago,did not only Condemn the likes of Alhaji Atiku for making such incendiary remarks about the President's inability to visit the State,but went further to unequivocally say that President Tinubu has been giving him all required support and assistance in fighting terrorism on the Plateau. 


Little wonder,the tumultuous welcome and appreciation received by President Tinubu from the people of the State during the visit. 


Therefore,if Governor Mutfwang the Chief Security of the State, could in all honesty come out to publicly give the President a pat on the back,it stands to reason that, Alhaji Atiku lacks the locus standi to complain on behalf of the people of the State. 


As a matter of fact,had Alhaji Atiku raised concern on the method of approach in tackling the unending circle of terrorism in the State,it would have been understandable - rather than trying to make political capital out of the President's participation in the burial rites of one of Plateau's virtuous mothers. 


What is of utmost importance and interest to the people of  Plateau State, is the need to provide more military assests as well as boots on the ground,to tackle the insurgents head on, rather than ceremonial visits. 


       SGD. 

Shittu Bamaiyi

Acting Publicity Secretary.