23 Jan 2012
Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu
By Aisha Wakaso
Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu has warned that the country could disintegrate by 2015 if the government continues to treat acts of treason and terrorism with "kid gloves".
He asked Nigerians to stop politicising treason and terrorism as the future of the country was at stake.
Aliyu was speaking at two different fora in Minna Sunday while playing host to Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders Council and members of the House of Representatives from the state.
He said: “We have to work to solve the present security situation in the country. We cannot only depend on prayers without work. Most countries at peace today did not achieve it through prayers or else, we will gradually work ourselves towards the projection that Nigeria will disintegrate by 2015.”
He cited cases of a Boko Haram spokesman who was arrested and jailed for only three years "for misdemeanour" and Pastor Tunde Bakare who called for regime change.
He also referred to a presidential candidate in the last elections who stated that the country would be ungovernable if he failed to win.
Aliyu lamented that no actions had been taken against them, adding that government's attitude was increasing terrorist and treasonable statements in the land.
“People don't want to tell the truth. If we are all able to come out and handle things the way they should be handled, we would have nipped everything in the bud.
“The spokesman of Boko Haram was arrested and only given three years for misdemeanour when we all know that it is terrorism and then we begin to wonder what is going on.
“There are also people who said they would make Nigeria ungovernable if they didn't win the presidential election and I don't think anything has been done about that.
“Someone else took the opportunity of the fuel subsidy removal protests to be calling for regime change and they are all allowed to walk freely on the streets after their treasonable statements.
“A wrong thing is a wrong thing no matter the time it is done or said and if others see that some people have done it and gone away with it, they will wonder why not them,” he said.
Aliyu said it was unfortunate that the elders in the country, who should be saying something about the present situation in the country, had decided to remain silent, adding that it was time for everyone to begin to talk and proffer solution.
“If such coordinated bombings can take place on security installations in Kano, then there is problem in the country.
“Those who should be talking have not found the courage to speak, because this is something that should be rejected in its entirety,” he said.
The two groups came on solidarity visits over the violent protests that wreaked havoc on public and private properties in some towns in the state during the anti-fuel subsidy removal agitation.
SOURCE: ThisDay Newspaper, 23 January 2012. http://www.thisdaylive.com/
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