By Dapo Akinrefon

Dr Yemi Farounbi served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Philippines and the Kingdom of Cambodia. In this interview, he examines the state of the nation and gives a damning verdict that Nigerians should be blamed for the woes confronting the country. He also speaks on the worsening insecurity in the country, and the plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state among other issues.

The security situation in Nigeria is getting worse with killings and kidnappings. How did we get to this level and who should be blamed?

I agree that President Bola Tinubu has not done enough to tackle the insecurity he promised us on May 29, 2023. In his inaugural speech, Tinubu promised us a new security doctrine and new security architecture. We are still waiting for the new security doctrine. He’s yet to give us the new architecture.

Beyond the statements of sympathy, which have become repetitive and regular, we’re yet to see positive plans and actions that show that Tinubu appreciates the real threat posed to the sovereignty of Nigeria by the reckless actions of ISWAP, ISIS, Boko Haram, JAS and Lakurawa.

We should blame all of us. We were there yesterday when the foundation of what we’re reaping today was laid. Some of us actively participated. Some of us kept quiet when we should have spoken.

When the 28 years of military rule destroyed the fabric of true federalism, we either kept quiet or we collaborated. When the Constitution, which has no reflection of the wishes of the people, was imposed on us, we collaborated.

When the government of President Tinubu further distorted the principles of federalism by severing the umbilical cord relationship between the states and LGAs, we applauded. Our imperfections of yesterday produced the peculiar mess of today.

We had the local government and Community police yesterday; the military interventions wiped them out. Now we are begging for state police

Are you not worried that school children are now kidnapped and used as human shields?

I am worried that school children are now being used as human shields. Given the trends elsewhere in the world, this was to be expected. Of course, there are international and multinational dimensions to terrorism in Nigeria.

Therefore, it must be expected that terrorism will become more sophisticated and complicated.

There are calls that a state of emergency should be declared on insecurity. Would that help in any way?

Calls for a state of emergency, in my view, are just theatrical. Are there any anti-terrorism plans and actions that cannot be taken by the government unless there’s a declaration of a state of emergency? None. We lack the will, the determination and decisiveness to take action. A state of emergency will not bridge these obvious failings.

What are your thoughts on State Police? Will it reduce insecurity in any way?

I believe not only in state police, but also in multi-layered policing, including federal police, state police, LGA police and community policy.

Some APC leaders are of the view that the worsening insecurity is a gang-up against the Bola Tinubu administration. What’s your take on it?

Those APC leaders who believe the mounting security problems is a gang-up are haunted by their past. There was a mass importation of terrorists into Nigeria by the APC in 2014 to ensure the defeat of Goodluck Jonathan.

Unfortunately, Jonathan was defeated and the large droves of terrorists were abandoned by the APC to become a huge problem for Nigeria.

Today, the problem is ideologically that of militant Islamism represented by ISWAP, ISIS, Boko Haram and Lakurawa. Given the Muslim-Muslim leadership, the APC government ought not to be afraid at all.

These terrorists, however, appear committed to an Islamic theocratic government. This is something deeper and more ideological than the colour of the ticket. Nigeria is facing a real problem of survival.

Do you agree that some people are sponsoring insecurity in Nigeria because of its mineral resources?

In many countries where there is illegal mining, there is always associated banditry that can be seen in Zamfara. Always present is banditry, not terrorism.

They need violence to illegally acquire the mines, to protect the mines, and to protect the transportation and shipment. But that’s different from the terrorists’ plan to capture power and sovereignty.

The General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, has asked the service chiefs to tackle insecurity within 90 days or resign. Is that in order?

If they are unable to perform, they should leave. If they are unable to perform, they also should feel free to explain why. Is it inadequate or inappropriate funding? Is it a diversion of resources? Is it internal betrayals? Or lack of real commitment by political and military leadership?

They reserve the right to explain any extenuating circumstances that make their positive performance impossible.

There are fears that Nigeria seems to be heading towards a one-party state, especially with crisis rocking opposition parties. Do you share the fear?

Yes. Nigeria is drifting to a one party state, not by the choice of the people but through manipulation or coercion by the government and corrupt submissions by ineffective political leadership.

Quite easily, Nigeria can become a one party state without consulting Nigerians.

As a former Ambassador, what is your position on the recent appointments of envoys and do you think they have the capacity to repair Nigeria’s battered image?

The appointment of the ambassadors was belated. There were too many political ambassadors. Some of them were ill-suited either by appointment, experiences, character, expertise or training. I believe that the bulk of career diplomats and many political diplomats will do well.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, do you see the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC having capacity to conduct a free, fair and transparent election especially with recent breach of its servers?

INEC’s leadership will have to do a lot to earn the public’s trust. INEC will have to be less meddlesome in the affairs of political parties. INEC leadership has to show more dignity, neutrality and impartiality.

It has to distance itself from the kind of situation in which a political aide can access the INEC confidential portal. INEC has lots of work to do to become a respected and respectable umpire.

Vanguard News

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