Don’t politicise security matters, Diya warns politicians

A FORMER Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya (rtd), has cautioned the political class and by extension the Federal Government against sacrificing security on the altar of ‘politicking’.

Diya, who said that the security of a country is not something to be toyed, urged the federal government to put in more effort to solve the problems of banditry, farmer-herder crisis and insurgency.

Diya served as Chief of General Staff under military head of state, late General Sani Abacha, from 1994 to 1998.

The former Chief of General Staff has been quiet since he overcame his trial over a phantom coup during the reign of the maximum military dictator, Sani Abacha.

Diya, however, seized the occasion of his 77th birthday commemoration to make intervention on national issues.

He stated, “More work however needs to be done by the government to solve the perennial problem of banditry, farmer-herder crisis and all forms of terrorism in the land.

“The political class must play by the rules and observe the thin line that separates politics from governance. Security matters should not be toyed with on the altar of politicking. Hate speech, fake news, as well as inciting ethnic-religious acts should be completely eradicated.”

He maintained that there was no part of the nation that did not have its inherent security challenges, urging every citizen to look inwards and eschew violence.

Diya added, “Let us do a soul searching. Let us pursue peace and eschew violence at all costs, by all means. Many actors have made their positions known. A lot more have pointed accusing fingers. We have turned the table and changed the narratives, just to suit our positions. One thing is certain, we cannot continue like this. Enough is enough. Let us cease the practice of name-calling.

“I have fought many wars in my life. I have been out there all my life. I know the feel, the smell, the agony and the long time implications of wars. After a war, there must still be a dialogue, so it is better to dialogue and talk our way out of the problems.”