On The Brink Of Failed State?

The most critical problem I have identified plaguing democratic governance in Nigeria is lack of quality and selfless leaders.  Many leaders lack passion for the people and the nation whose resources they hold in trust.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike aptly captured the sordid security situation in the country when he said, if there is a proper Commander-In-Chief, bandits and insurgent groups will not be allowed to drag the country to the level of unrestrained killing of innocent Nigerians.
This is unassialable truth because the country truly needs a strong Commander, In Chief-at the helm of affairs today; a President who knows his onions, in terms of tackling all forms of criminality in the land headlong.
After all, security of lives and property is a litmus test for and parameter to determine the effectiveness of any government. It is the primary obligation of any government to protect the lives and property of the people. If a government lacks the capacity and capability to discharge this constitutional responsibility to the people, then, such a government has failed woefully. This is because security is a critical national asset which serves as a springboard for growth and development to thrive. The absence of peace and security, no doubt, will elicit unnecessary tensions and apprehension that are capable of preventing people and corporate organisations  from committing their hard-earned resources into  a presumptuously unstable economy as a result of insecurity.
Insecurity is therefore, a major cause of job loss, underemployment and unemployment. It also orchestrates capital flight and hoarding. Security remains the pivot of development at all levels-community, local government, state and national.
That is why I can appreciate Chief Wike’s grouse and uncompromising stance over the spate of insecurity that now beclouds certain parts of Nigeria.
Wike was unequivocal when in an emotion-laden voice he said, “A proper Commander-in-Chief will never allow this country to go down like this. What is President Buhari doing with the service chiefs? Their business is to protect Nigeria and Nigerians. Look at the country, every day the only project we get is people have died. The only project Nigerians continue to get is killing…”
Is any person or group angry over Governor Wike’s swipes? Then, I urge them to be dispassionate.
The cases of incessant security breaches, leading to destruction of lives and property with impunity, are strong and negative testimonial that Nigeria is tottering on the brink of a Failed State.
I pray that the precarious security situation in  Nigeria should not snowball to expression of the Hobbesian theory of state where life was viewed as short and brutish, might becomes right.
Rather than criticising Chief Nyesom Wike, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should restrategise and work out modalities on how to bring out the country from the doldrums of insecurity before it speculatively, exits the reins of power.
The president and de facto Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, has given his word to Nigerians that he will leave Nigeria better than he met it. This is heart-gladening for every person who is passing through the unpopular economic policies of Buhari administration.
However, since this is not a prophecy, or word spoken by God through him, I wonder how Mr President can achieve this feat of not just restoring the economy,  security and other facets of national growth and development, to their friendly states, prior to the inception of his administration in 2015 but to surpass the successes and achievements of his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
That would be a miracle of the century indeed.
Mr President’s position on the state of the nation is like a man building castles in the air. Is it really possible? Is it one of the bogus promises, comical pranks and lullaby to soothe frayed nerves while the maladministration thrives?
The Buhari administration has barely one year to leave office, what is the dollar-naira exchange rate? What is the level of security? What is the  per capita income? How are civil servants faring? and what is the state of small and medium scale enterprises or businesses?
If Mr President had spoken as an oracle of God, I would have believed because of the dictates of my faith, but since he spoke for himself, only May 29, 2023 will tell.

By: Igbiki Benibo