The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has criticised Nigeria’s involvement in the planned military intervention in the Niger Republic impasse.
National legal adviser of the party, Prof Mahmood Aliyu who addressed newsmen in Ilorin yesterday noted that Nigeria has a myriad of challenges which need urgent attention rather than wasting resources on a foreign mission.
He, however, welcomed the involvement of ECOWAS in resolving the Niger crisis, but added that the development should not be a priority for Nigeria.
“We’ve not been able to take care of our own security issues adequately. What wisdom do we have to wage war against our neighbour? Honestly, from my mind, I’m completely against it. It’s morally, economically and spiritually wrong.
“If this question was asked on the first day, what I would say is that that is not supposed to be our priority as a country. But if it’s ECOWAS, it’s ok. The matter has even taken political and ethnic dimensions.
“Last week, bandits raided one village in Niger State and kidnapped some of the villagers. Four of my kinsmen were among the victims and threats are all over that place every now and then. Villages have been sacked, the villagers sent away. In some villages, the villagers are asked to pay money to the bandits before bandits allowing them to work on their farms,” Aliyu stated .
He also faulted reasons for providing palliatives as a result of pains occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, saying successive governments in the country had been telling masses to fasten their belts without accruing benefits.
“Palliative is not the answer to Nigerians’ problem. Nigerians are being insulted by palliative measures. I don’t cherish palliatives. Let the masses have access to good life. Government at all levels should create the enabling environment for job creation to make citizens self reliant. Having job to do is the best form of palliative that government can give to the masses,” he stated.
The legal adviser urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the goal of promoting the unity, unfettered progress and democratic rebirth of the Nigerian federation.
This, according to him, requires personal and collective sacrifices as well as development of organisational structures that are essential for the delivery of these ideals.
“We need new crop of leaders who are patriotic, have the fear of God, selfless, and have the interest of the masses deep right in their hearts to champion the socialist rebirth of the country as being canvassed for by the PRP,” Aliyu stated.
