Hassan Saliu, a professor of Political Science at the University of Ilorin and President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), has identified the lack of consensus on how to tackle terrorism, religious complexity, weak state institutions, compromised duties by relevant authorities, and operational inefficiency as major factors fueling insecurity in Nigeria. In this interview with SIKIRAT SHEHU, the university don also shared his views on security votes, transparency, and accountability in their utilisation. He expressed concern over the current trend, describing it as worrisome, and called for fundamental adjustments to entrench responsible governance. According to him, equitable distribution of resources, improved research-based security strategies, and greater accountability in the management of public funds are critical to making the war against insecurity more effective and meaningful. Excerpts:
How would you assess the current state of insecurity in Kwara State and Nigeria at large?
Permit me to address your questions from the perspective of the nation. Since Kwara State is part of Nigeria, whatever I say will be applicable to it. If there’s any issue confronting the country that has exposed its level of vulnerability, it is the unending insecurity situation. People have asked: What has happened to Nigeria, once a restorer of order in other African countries? Why is it now a disappointing entity that cannot guarantee its stability, to the extent of negotiating with its tormentors? Accounting for the unfortunate situation is a huge task on my part. More so, that it has warranted foreign intervention in its domestic affairs.
In your opinion, what are the major factors driving the prevailing insecurity across the country, and what practical measures can be adopted to effectively address these challenges?
One of the issues that has contributed to this is an unhealthy governance environment that has prevailed over the years. Every year, money is earmarked for projects that are never executed. Leaders show no shame about it. The result is that people don’t see the government as their own, leading to attachment to extremist preachings. The situation is worsened by the show of affluence on the part of political actors. Gradually, the state is being abandoned: no bonding with government. This shows citizens’ readiness to support terrorists and bandits. Secondly, the way politics is played in the country is another causative factor. Politicians desperate for power can cross any boundary to achieve their objectives. Their willingness to capture power has made them reach out to all manner of people, including agents of destruction, creating the monster of insecurity.
Third factor is the assumption that terrorists and bandits are “our people” who must be protected. This leads to lack of consensus on how to deal with them. Fourthly, the religious mix is another issue. Some believe their activities promote a certain religion whose members must not be eliminated. Fifthly, the state is weak and compromised in discharging its duties. Stories abound of the military being prevented from overcoming agents of insecurity, creating fifth columnists who give intelligence to terrorists and bandits.
Sixthly, fighting insecurity has become lucrative, with those connected smiling to the bank without sanctions. Seventhly, there’s no seriousness in ending the war, given the networks of support enjoyed by agents of insecurity. Eighthly, foreign interests are involved, which the state cannot confront. Bandits facilitate illegal mining. Ninthly, Nigeria seems to be waging a war it least understands.
Insecurity has significantly affected key sectors of national life, including education, the economy, and social cohesion. What are your views on this role of political will, security votes, the transparency and accountability in their utilisation?
The raging regime of insecurity in Nigeria is unfortunate and harbours worrisome developments for the country, beyond the imagination of the government. One of these is the loss of its continental standing in Africa. Another is that the country may be ripe for subversive activities instigated from across borders. The level of unity and cohesion may come under attack, and secessionist activities may intensify. Past gains in external relations may be lost, and Nigerians may be weakened in their resolve to support the state, among other consequences.
What message do you have for the government, security agencies, and Nigerians at large on the ongoing security challenges confronting the nation?
On solutions to the problem, the country’s politics needs a fundamental adjustment to entrench responsible governance and a commitment to decorum. The current carefree attitude towards catering to the welfare of Nigerians must change. There is money in the country, but it is not evenly distributed among citizens. The orientation of all governments should be towards catering for Nigerians.
The country, in its present circumstances, is in a bad shape, with too many soul-killing policies being churned out by the state, leaving Nigerians more impoverished. There is a need for elite consensus on the security situation in the country, necessary for all to be on the same page on the matter of insecurity. Hardly can anything be achieved without an elite consensus in place.
There is a need to purge the military to flush out bad eggs. More accountability is required to make the war against insecurity meaningful. Sponsors of insecurity should be identified and dealt with to serve as a deterrent for others. To make citizens buy into the war, people-oriented policies should be pursued, while reducing the level of ostentatious living in government. Fairness and justice to all tribes and regions will go a long way in winning the hearts of Nigerians. The state must have the power and potency to rein in nationals of other countries involved in the nation’s insecurity. The level of corruption in the war should be addressed by demonstrating the capacity to deal with the culprits.
Lowering the tempo of political campaigns for the next elections and focusing on how to address the grinding poverty in the land is crucial. More research is necessary to understand all the dimensions of the country’s insecurity.
