Background : The nation recently celebrated its 51st independence anniversary amid uncontrolled corruption and ineptitude spotlighted by intermittent bombings which peaked with the August 26, 2011 attack on the United Nations building in Abuja, is it not time we, as Nigerians, asked each other: “When will enough be enough?”
Background : The nation recently celebrated its 51st independence anniversary amid uncontrolled corruption and ineptitude spotlighted by intermittent bombings which peaked with the August 26, 2011 attack on the United Nations building in Abuja, is it not time we, as Nigerians, asked each other: “When will enough be enough?”
Enough of bloodshed!
Enough of deaths of the defenseless!
Enough of children orphaned for eternity by those seeking attention!
Enough of pseudo-democracy marked by vote-rigging, stolen mandates and abuse of power!
Enough of impunity and corruption!
Enough of visionless leadership and embarrassing lethargy!
A Litany of Woes
Nigeria’s slide to anarchy is no longer confined to the arid creeks of the Niger Delta. Of recent, a religious tinge has been added to it with the following terrorist incidents:
• In July 2009, a clash between the Boko Haram and the Nigerian security forces led to the death of an estimated 700 people
• On the 30th of July, Mohammed Yusuf – the leader of the group, was killed by Nigerian security forces while in their custody
• January 2010 saw the group attacking Borno State and killing four people in Dala Alemderi ward in Maiduguri Metropolis
• There was a bombing of a market in Abuja in December, 2010 by Boko Haram
• Friday 28th January 2011, the ANPP gubernatorial candidate in Borno State was assassinated together with his brother, four police officers and a 12-year old boy.
• An ANPP campaign rally would have been disrupted with a bomb blast but for police intervention on the 29th of March, 2011
• April 1, police station attacked in Bauchi (that was the day before the cancelled legislative elections)
• April 9, a polling centre was bombed in Maiduguri
• April 15, INEC office was bombed in Maiduguri and several people were shot on same day
• April 20, Boko Haram killed a Muslim cleric and ambushed several police officers in Maiduguri.
• Series of bombings on May 29, 2011 blamed on Boko Haram
• June 16, Boko Haram bombed Police Force Headquarters in Abuja
• June 26, a beer garden was bombed in Maiduguri
• June 27, a bomb blast killed at least two girls and wounded three customs officials
• July 3, another bombing in a beer garden
• July 10, a bombing at the All Christian Fellowship Church in Suleija, Niger State
• August 12, prominent Muslim Cleric Liman Bana was shot dead by Boko Haram
• And August 26, it was the United Nations Headquarters that had itself bombed
• And from the day after – 27th of August, no one knows what next.
Our Position
People keep dying and no one seems to have a clue about putting a final stop to it. At this rate, therefore, no single person’s life is secure in our dear country Nigeria – not even the President’s (unfortunately).
We, as a people, hereby reaffirm our commitment to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by all Nigerians. We unequivocally state our resolve to ensure that Nigerians – irrespective of status – have equal and unrestricted access to these rights. Our demands are simple…though not new:
• That the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria tenders an apology on National Television and the Print Media for an inability to address the continued insecurities in the country.
• That the IG of Police should resign with immediate effect for being clueless.
• That the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria effectively tackles the incessant terrorist attacks, armed robberies and kidnappings in the country with a view to restoring Nigeria to a state of security.
• FINALLY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA IMMEDIATELY INITIATES MOVES TO CONVENE A SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE ASSAILED THE NIGERIAN POLITY INCLUDING THE DIALECTICS OF CLASS, GRAFT AND ETHNICITY. IT IS TIME WE RECLAIMED NIGERIA AND PUT IT ON A SUSTAINABLE PATH OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WHOLESOMENESS.
These are demands so simple, yet so pertinent especially at this stage in our national life as a country.
Signed:
NAME OF GROUP: MOVEMENT FOR A NEW NIGERIA (MOVE ON)
ADDRESS: Plot 10, Ogunnusi Ave, Ibasha, Magboro, Ogun State
CONTACT DETAILS: c/o Olugbenga Oyeleye, [email protected], 08036571944
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