Redefining safety

The President must be living in another planet to claim that Nigeria is safe

From the villages to the cities, Nigerians lament bitterly the insecurity of lives and properties in Nigeria. Even those outside the country are afraid to come to Nigeria, with the British and American governments routinely warning their citizens about where not to go in the country. There is hardly a day that is free of shootings. Despite all these, President Goodluck Jonathan believes Nigeria is a safe place to live in.

Just imagine the horrible experiences Nigerians have been through since the Boko Haram terrorism that has led to the deaths of thousands of innocent Nigerians. Serial bombings had ocurred in many places of worship, market places, the UN building, police stations, Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) offices, Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) facility (of all places) in Abuja, and many other audacious attacks that give the impression that Nigeria is in a state of anarchy where there are no rulers or, if there are, they have totally lost control of the situation.

Despite the escalation of these terrorist activities, the government has the audacity to “assure” Nigerians and the international community that the country is safe. Of course many Nigerians have responded that the government should “tell that to the marines”. It is even the height of arrogance for somebody like Doyin Okupe, a “Senior Special Adviser” to the President on Public Affairs, to dare the angry public as well as the international community with transparent lies. Hear him: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan wishes to assure Nigerians that in spite of this situation, the country is still largely safe and secure. President Jonathan wishes to state categorically of his unwavering commitment and determination to fight insecurity wherever they are found in Nigeria”.

This is the usual way President Jonathan reacts to such sensitive issues; indeed, the president has always boasted that the security challenges are under control. But he has always appeared helpless and groping in the dark under the ghost of Boko Haram and other criminals that have turned Nigeria into hell on earth.

How many Nigerians are now able to sleep with their eyes closed? How many of them can walk in the streets, or travel, in the night? Our homes are not safe, our roads are not safe, our banks are not safe, our churches are not safe, our schools and other institutions are not safe. When we sleep and wake up the following day we thank God for the miracle of sleeping and waking, but do not know what would happen before nightfall or even in the next moment!

Apparently the president thinks Nigeria is safe because he is completely alienated from the people he is supposed to govern, serve and protect. Unlike some other leaders, our president lives in an impregnable fortress where no ordinary Nigerian can enter. He moves around in the air space where there is no traffic jam. When he moves on the land, God save the Nigerian who dares drive his vehicle near him or his wife. Because the president and those around him are very safe, he goes about telling other Nigerians and the outside world, who actually know better, that Nigeria, is very safe. And this is the same president who had to celebrate the last independent anniversary in the very safe confines of Aso Rock instead of jubilating with the rest of Nigerians openly at the Eagle Square, Abuja, apparently due to security concerns.

Security is a very serious issue that must not be politicised. And if the president sincerely believes that the country is safe, which most certainly is not, then that explains why he has not taken the issue seriously as an emergency requiring all the attention it deserves.