…Assured that Tinubu will end terrorism
…Dialogue continues with partners to end terrorism
…Tinubu will adopt kinetic and non-kinetic approaches
The President on Sunday said the country has the capacity to confront and defeat the current onslaught of terrorists through partnership with interested international bodies, but will not outsource its security.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Information, Sunday Dare, said this in a presidential response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Recall that former President Obasanjo had criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu for its slow response to the activities of terrorists and kidnappers ravaging the country.
Obasanjo also expressed his support for foreign intervention, should the Tinubu government fail to end banditry in the country.
But Dare, in his response, said, “Nigeria will cooperate internationally, but it will not outsource its security or raise the white flag because someone who once had the chance gave up.”
The Presidency, while acknowledging that Nigeria needs the support and understanding of the global community, including the United States, said the country is already engaging with them to help eliminate terrorism.
The Presidency said it was also working closely with other partner countries, adding that “the current crime is international. Every uncontrolled place must come under scrutiny”.
According to him, “When former leaders disrespect the potential of the nation, they give psychological victory to the same terrorists who kill, kidnap, extort and terrorize Nigerians in plain language.
“A real politician provides support, not soundbites.
He challenged former President Obasanjo that if he really wanted to help he would first acknowledge his “past failures that allowed terrorists to gain a foothold, and then support ongoing efforts, not undermine them”.
“He should cede his position and contacts to Nigeria as he has done to other countries. Do not try to dismantle an administration that is fully engaged on multiple fronts: economic transformation, providing security and building key infrastructure.”
The Presidency assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is committed to securing every inch of Nigeria by combating terrorists with strength, unity and a whole of government strategy. All patriots now join hands and stop creating noise.
“This administration will not be deterred by selective amnesia wrapped in senior-statesmanship, nor will it allow history to be rewritten by those who perpetrated Nigeria’s initial security failures.”
The Presidency condemned some of the comments made by the former President and described such comments as “not only hypocritical but reprehensible”.
“Nigeria is facing terrorists. All of them. By every definition, whether they are international, regional or local,” he said.
Dare said that “the suggestion that Nigeria effectively sub-contract its internal security to foreign governments is not statesmanship; it is capitulation.”
“President Tinubu does not face a traditional security challenge. He faces full-spectrum terrorism, both internal and international. His strategy is clear:
'Before recommending surrender, the former President should consider what he failed to do when these terrorists first began organizing under his watch.' He said.
