By A. A. Gadzama OFR, mni
The year 2023 will be epoch-making in the annals of the country for some obvious reasons, the most important of which is that it is the year the country will have new governments at the federal and states levels. It is also the year the country will have surmounted security threats against its sovereignty and territorial integrity as Nigerians expect the nation to have overcome the problems of insurgency, criminality and banditry in the country and learnt from its past mistakes to do things differently.
Most Nigerians believe that all these will be possible if all stakeholders remain committed to their responsibilities and the political class and security agencies, in particular, change their ways to move the country forward.
It is important to note that the security stakeholders are among critical agencies for the successful conduct of elections, good governance and national security. It is, therefore, important that the roles of security agencies in the political evolution of the country are properly scrutinised as was done with the electoral laws. What makes the re-examination of the role of security agencies in elections and governance in the country very important is that the failure to do away with retrogressive practices, such as manipulation and use of thugs in politics, is believed to be with the connivance of security operatives, some of whom have played despicable roles. However, it is important to observe that most security operatives have performed exceptionally well. There certainly exists in their midst unscrupulous insider saboteurs whose activities need to be checked. Therefore, the politicisation of the security organisations is among negative influences on security operatives that need to be closely monitored.
In some recent elections in the country, some unscrupulous security operatives threw overboard their professional ethics, neutrality and determination to strengthen the democratic process. Keen watchers of the security scene, including retired security practitioners, have lamented how some unscrupulous security operatives brazenly compromise their roles during elections. It is a known fact that some security operatives have been corrupted during elections while some have been openly indicted for aiding and abetting electoral malpractices. Such irresponsible security operatives have done enormous damage to elections and governance in the country. Being parties to the manipulation of elections and intimidation of perceived political opponents of their paymasters are among allegations that have been made against security operatives that underscore the importance of repositioning nearly all security agencies in the country before 2023. All security agencies in effect need to be repositioned to have the ability of subverting all undesirable practices in 2023 that have contributed to challenges faced in politics in the country. Security agencies need to go back to their roles as honest advisers of their principals.
The stability of the polity is dependent on the security agencies being professional and honest in advising the political leadership. There are allegations that the country has, however, witnessed the disturbing practice of security agencies, especially their leadership, failing to speak truth to power and at times aligning with those who appointed them regardless of the truth about issues before them. It has been argued that this compounds the problems of those being ruled.
It has been consistently observed that many of the security agencies have lost their claims to professionalism and neutrality. This is because some of them have been overly politicised. The situation is likely to be worse in 2023 as there are reports that some politicians are busy discretely recruiting retired and serving security operatives. This will definitely not augur well for the forthcoming elections.
It is expected that 2023 will be a trying period for the country and critical stakeholders like security agencies. The country will, therefore, need very upright and professional security operatives, especially before and during the 2023 elections. Conscious efforts should also be made to purge the security agencies of those that are clearly corrupt, disloyal and those who have nothing to offer. They must also be insulated from the influence of desperate interests. This has become expedient at a time the country is passing through resurgence of ethnic, parochial and intense religious sentiments. The country can draw from the pool of professionally tested, honest and sound security operatives.
Another retrogressive practice among security operatives is highhandedness and seeing themselves to be above the law. Everything must, therefore, be done to ensure corrupt and politically exposed security operatives do not undermine the 2023 elections and national security. Special attention should be paid to the reported discreet recruitment of serving and retired security operatives, who have nothing to offer, by some politicians to work for them in 2023. Relevant security agencies and the government should as a matter of urgency place such persons and their sponsors under close monitoring.
The year 2023 will come with a myriad of challenges especially sentiments and actions that could be harmful to national security. It would be necessary to take concrete steps to stop individuals who are engaged in plans that could undermine national security. Reported plans by desperate politicians to recruit retired and serving security operatives should be among antics that should attract action from relevant agencies. The country can definitely not afford to toy with its destiny in 2023.
Gadzama is the Chairman, National Institute of Security Studies
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