Paschal Emeka, Abuja
A lawmaker representing the Taka/Sumaila federal constituency of Kano State, Hon.
Shamsudeen Bello Dambazau has called on the Federal Government to immediately address all forms of insecurity currently plaguing some parts of the country to enable Nigerians to participate fully during next month’s general elections.
Hon. Dambazau made the call yesterday while briefing correspondents covering the House of Representatives at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The lawmaker also urged the federal government to sack heads of security agencies who fail to deal with the spate of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping as well as other acts of criminalities in the country.
He informed that the government’s inability to address insecurity in the country may jeopardize the conduct of the February general elections as many Nigerians will be disenfranchised from performing their civic duties.
Reacting to questions on how the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would deploy technology, especially the BVAS during next month’s polls, he answered affirmatively advising the Commission to send an additional Budget proposal to National Assembly to enable it to utilize technology for the elections.
Hon. Dambazau equally spoke with passion about his party’s willingness to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Nigeria.
He, however, maintained that insecurity in the country has been addressed by the government claiming that in the period between 2014 and 2015, many Nigerians were always afraid for their lives because of incessant bombing across the country even in Abuja.
He further disclosed while reacting to questions on what the APC government has been doing to tackle insecurity in Nigeria, he explained that many drones as well as super jet fighters have been procured in recent times.
He informed correspondents that different drones and other Hi-Tech security equipment are already being deployed by the federal government to different parts of the country to ensure a safe and conducive atmosphere for all Nigerians.
Hon. Dambazau while reacting to questions about the public perception of his party’s presidential flag-bearer’s health condition, argued that his Party’s presidential candidate has been jumping and dancing across states of the federation in the course of political campaigns.
On inter-agency collaboration, the lawmaker advised all security agencies to share ideas and information in order to fight the common enemy of the country.
Hon. Dambazau equally suggested that heads of security agencies including the military should be held accountable for security breakdown in the country, stressing that there is a need to set agenda for them as a way of evaluating their general performance index.
On his inability to secure a second term to represent his constituency, Hon. Dambazau claimed that such questions should be for his supporters and constituents adding that he has given adequate representation to his people within his tenure in the House.
He also attributed his failure to return to the House to divine providence.
He called on Nigerians to ensure the emergence of credible leaders through their PVCs as the 2023 election is in the offing.
It would be recalled that there have been several security challenges and attacks across the country among which included the kidnap of 32 train passengers last weekend in Edo State.