A former Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has said the insecurity facing the country is a creation of the political class.
Buratai stated this on Friday while sharing his experience in a lecture he delivered titled “Public Service and the Imperatives for National Security in Nigeria” at the second stanza 2023 National Public Service Lecture and the 65th anniversary of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association.
He also took a swipe at critics calling for his sack over insecurity in the country while he was in office, saying such call stemmed from personal biases rather than an objective evaluation of his performance.
He said, “These individuals might have held negative opinions of General Buratai based on subjective factors, such as personal preferences or biases unrelated to his actual capabilities. It is crucial to approach discussions regarding national security matters with a fair and impartial mindset, focusing on relevant aspects rather than personal biases and idiosyncrasies.
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“The National Assembly had twice or more passed resolutions calling for the sack of the service chiefs. The President, Muhammadu Buhari had told the ninth National Assembly to mind their business. If properly interpreted, the call by the ninth National Assembly was to derail the democracy by the military.
“This should be a lesson for political actors. It was a direct confrontation blaming the service chiefs as if they are the ones who started insecurity. the insecurity being faced in the country since 2009 was the creation of the political class. With a strong political will, it can be surmounted.”
He advised politicians, public servants as well as civil servants to live above board by eschewing corruption which he said had plagued the country’s political sphere for decades, eroding public trust and hindering development.
According to him, misappropriation of public funds, bribery, and embezzlement have become too common, diverting resources away from essential services and leaving citizens disillusioned.
He also advised politicians to be accountable and transparent.
“Politicians often make lofty promises during election campaigns but fail to deliver once in power. The lack of accountability erodes public confidence and perpetuates the perception that politicians are more interested in the people,” Buratai added.
Chairman on the occasion, former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, (Operations) OyOyState Command, Adejobi Akinade, called on the general public to support the efforts of the police in tackling insecurity challenges in the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President, University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide, Prof. Saawua Gabriel Nyityo, said the lecture was aimed at highliting the roles of public service in ensuring national security.
