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Buratai’s battles and conquests
By Okanga Agila
I was driving through the Central Business District in Abuja when it struck me that those concrete eyesores used to fence off many key institutions in the city have been removed and roads that were once barricaded as a result of the makeshift contraptions have been opened to traffic. This of course does not include the areas around the FCT Police Command in Garki. The barricades went up at the height of Boko Haram exploits when security organizations recognized themselves as potential target for a terror group that more or less swept down all the way from Maiduguri in the northeast, through Abuja, into Lokoja and was on the way to the nation’s coastal cities.
The barricades and the sense of siege they imposed left Abuja same as the advance of Boko Haram was halted, reversed and the terror group routed. The change came as a result of the decisive appointments of seasoned military chiefs among whom is the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai. The exploit of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other services, has the imprint of General Buratai written on it.
My drive through the Central Business District happened to have coincided with the day General Buratai and his colleagues clocked one year in office in their respective duty posts. In those 365 days, towns and villages that Boko Haram had captured have been liberated. In addition, several of the terrorists have been killed, captured or have simply absconded from the group.
Several commentators have put down the measure of success recorded against the terrorists to General Buratai’s ability to inspire the officers and troops to excel. He was forefront with the troops taking part in their routine and more recently he was there with them in the trenches. He ate the ration they ate and drank the water they drank. True to his Commander in Chief’s order, he stayed fast with the troops, away from the comfort of the posh offices in Abuja that had made the city a choice target for Boko Haram suicide bombers.
Perhaps less obvious was the fact that General Buratai allowed another war ordered by his Commander in Chief to succeed. Had he been less supportive, the anti-corruption efforts that exposed the arms procurement scam might not have achieved as much. He supported the exposure of the scam and its ongoing investigation even though he knows that this would make him enemies within and outside the service.
He certainly is no stranger to such battles, of wits, morals and patriotism. The world barely knows that Buratai had faced similar challenges in the past and came out stronger. What has changed compared to his previous battles against those opposed to transparency is that he is in a different position now. Beyond fighting for what he believes in he must also make considerations for national interest, which might have limited his ability to reply his critics.
This is why he has to again fight another battle other than the Boko Haram insurgents in the theater of war. Those whose militant commanders and fighters were defeated have moved the battle to the media and cyber space. But even on these fronts Buratai trounced his accusers who have so far not been able to do more than talk in circles, passing off conjectures as facts.
In one instance, the schemers got desperate to the point of attempting to say Buratai was in charge of the Defence Procurement report just to indict him. The plot failed as the members of the panel were sharply divided and some of them later leaked what was planned to the press. Those seeking to use the report to damage Buratai’s reputation have to beat a retreat and are still looking for another way to do battle with him. Who knows what next they plan to do.
The intensity of this hidden war is best appreciated when one realize that the whole issue is a scheme orchestrated by people close to the government. They have the resources to fabricate dirt that suits the lies they want to tell against their victim, they have the funds to throw into paid media campaigns that are tailored to look like well investigated news stories and they have the baits to dangle and recruit persons who ordinarily were regarded as esteemed opinion leaders.
This is why it seems the propaganda is getting the backing of well meaning Nigerians. In reality, the propaganda is merely being hijacked both by yesterday men in need of rehabilitation, questionable interest groups and politically wounded corrupt politicians. There are even religious sects that are on the train for a ride to take a revenge for when their bid at extremism was decisively quashed by a patriotic army.
The sinister plot is already backfiring however and God is paying the schemers back in their own coins. They are already being tormented emotionally. Serious guilt and desperation are haunting them. As far as the law of natural justice goes they will eventually keep a date with reckoning.
From the beginning of the world, when you fight the status quo, it fights back. But Buratai is driven by patriotism, loyalty and love for his Commander in Chief, country and humanity and therefore no amount of plotting or propaganda can defeat these ideals. The defeat of Boko Haram would be mild compared to the disgrace these traducers will experience when Buratai eventually conquers them and their minions.
Okanga wrote from Agila, Ado local government area of Benue State
SGF is not a Christian: Northern CAN
By Lauretta Onochie
It seems to be that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in this dispensation, has arrogated to its Northern chapter, a role of ignominy hitherto, played by others during the Jonathan Administration. It is common knowledge that this organization, with a leadership that sometimes is not in talking terms with God, is set to go on collision course with Nigerians. Nearly all Nigerians support President Buhari’s war on corruption so Nigerians are serious about uprooting corruption in their nation.
First, in the Vanguard online news of April 26th 2016, this Northern CAN said Nigeria will slide into confusion if Jonathan was arrested. Of course, Nigerians who are waiting for all those who looted their treasury to be brought to account, were shocked that an organization that is affiliated to God, could utter such unrighteousness. Why would they embark on such an unholy advocacy? Should men and women not reap what they sow?
Isn’t that what the Bible prescribes? If Rtd. Col. Dasuki, Chief Oliseh
Metuh, Alex Badeh Akpobolokemi, etc., are facing investigations and being charged to court, why would Nigerians be confused if anyone, no matter how highly placed, suspected to have stolen public funds, is pulled in, if found culpable? It leaves one with a clear pointer as to who is behind the continued misguided utterances of men who speak from the pockets of their sponsors and not through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It has further become clear that as the National CAN in the past, looked away from the stealing that went on under a supposedly Christian President, the Northern CAN, is now being used to castigate every action of the government of President Buhari. Their meddlesomeness is becoming irritating. They want to dictate who get appointed, and who should not be arrested if found culpable. One wonders, what sort of people do we have in this association?
I know President Buhari is not averse to criticisms, so a body such as CAN has a role to play in being the conscience of not just the Christians it represents, but also other Nigerians of good faith. However, in playing that role, CAN should have all its facts so it’s criticisms can be constructive, sound, fair, just and believable. The role some CAN members are playing now, am afraid, is clearly part of the work of the “National Association of Corruption Fighting Back.”
The change mantra is being taken seriously by the President. Consequently, he has adhered to the provisions of the constitution with regards to federal character. Nowhere in our constitution is it stated that religion must be a criterion for appointing people to positions. However, the following Northern Christians, excluding the inherited ones, were appointed by the government of President Buhari: Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Engineer Babachir David Lawal; Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe; Hon. Minister of Youths and Sports, Comrade Solomon Dalung; Late Hon. Minister of State, Labour & Productivity, Barrister James Ocholi; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Hon. Gideon Sammani; Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ayuba Birma; Special Assistant to the President on Social Events, Mr. Ayuba Balami; Personal Assistant to the President on Social Events, Mrs. Faith Pukuma; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Legal and Documentation, Prof. Adamu Usman; Administrator of Villa Chapel, Reverend Isaac Ambi; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Pastor Tor Uja; Managing Director, Nigeria
Inland Waterways Authority, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
Not many southern Nigerians can work out the religion or tribes of most northerners as many names are common to both Christians and Moslems in the north, the same way many northerners assume that Okon Bassey and Pere Tamuno are Igbo men. It therefore, behoves Northern CAN to assume the role of educating southerners with facts, with a view to allaying their
Anxiety occasioned by perceived marginalization. For every appointment made, there are probably a million others who are qualified too. But only one can be appointed. It’s therefore sad that if an appointee is a Christian who is not known to Northern CAN, his or her Christianity becomes a nullity and of no effect. Could this be the faith of the SGF and other Christian appointees. Could this be of CAN.
It’s obvious that the aim of all these misinformation is to divide a regio, perceived as President Buhari’s stronghold. The role of an association such as CAN is not that of dividing the north along religious lines. It should be that of uniting the whole country so Nigerians can collectively focus on building a strong nation where people experience equal opportunities irrespective of tribe, religion, etc.
Again, one does not need a religion to do a good job. All religions of the world encourage merit. There are those who may not subscribe to any religion but can do a great job. Should it not be of paramount concern to the Northern CAN that people who can do the job be appointed? Should they not be holding to account those who are failing in their duties? Should they not be solidly standing behind the righteous work of this government infighting the capital sin of corruption?
The CAN in Nigeria in the immediate past became controversial. This led to the Catholic Church in Nigeria withdrawing its membership of the association. The present utterances of the Northern Chapter of CAN show that they have not repented of their sinful past. They need to forsake their past transgressions and return to the scriptures. That’s the only way they can find resurrection and maybe, those who left the association may then return. God save Nigeria from ungodly men! Amen. Lauretta Onochie @laurestar