Nigeria@63: Imo Former Deputy Governor, Madumere Decries Insecurity In Imo, South East, Fingers Govt Agencies

In his Independence message, the former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere has regretted the sordid state of insecurity in Imo State, saying that the economies of the state and South-East are in doldrums.

The former Deputy Governor made the statement on Sunday morning through his Adviser on Media and Publicity, Uche Onwuchekwa.

He called on all and sundry to join hands to critically get to the root of the problem and have a collective approach towards reversing the slide towards the extreme state of anomie if not anarchy.

He said Nigeria may have made some progress in some areas but is fast derailing following sustained security challenges.

He urges the political leaders to bury their ego, stop beating about the bush and resolve the problem because their supposed authority is sliding by the day as nobody believes them anymore.

He however warned politicians who may be trying to make political proceeds from the crisis to be wary of the damning consequences the situation might bring upon them and even to their loved ones.

Prince Madumere, the Head of Operations who played strategic roles in an effort to make the State safe under Okorocha’s administration during the dark days of large scale kidnapping, armed robbery and heightened insecurity, which were successfully managed, insisted that agencies of the government are part of the factors fueling the unending insecurity in the land.

He said: “When people are denied electing the leaders of their choice through open rigging and swapping of results, it will only breed frustrations and misgivings, which may snowball into a crisis of differing degrees. This cannot happen without the connivance of the officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and few security operatives.

He however called for non-kinetic approach to resolving some security issue, saying that the security agencies are always interested in the “no violence” approach to crisis and in conflict resolutions. They can only act based on what is presented to them. When you order shoot at sight, you can only achieve peace of the graveyard. 

“A lot more can be achieved when you approach such issues with human face, sincerity and humility and with an agenda to calm the injured minds and frayed nerves.

“It is safer, cost effective and does not bring about lifetime bitterness against the system or the authorities, if only we can employ elevated tact and strategies to manage the situation.

“I am aware that any time human lives and properties are unjustly wasted, it will always have repercussions of sadness for a life time  for those who are directly affected or whose loved ones are affected,” he stated.

He also called on the South East Governors and political leaders to be humble enough to acknowledge the fact that the problem in the zone cannot be solved by mere wishful thinking and use of  force. .

For Nnamdi Kanu’s angle, he said; “I remember that leaders like late Pa Mbazuluike Amechi, an Elder statesman, started a process with others. Ohanaeze also began a process. We must go back to the roundtable with one mind and not few persons harbouring a political agenda other than that which benefits the greater number of people. That process should not be allowed to die.

“I believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will surely honour positive pressure with convincing argument. He knows that nothing is achieved in a state of crisis and insecurity.

“We must also bear in mind that lack of basic amenities, infrastructures, employment and food security are critical factors capable of dislocating any society. 

“Governors must be adept to their first line charge. What matters to them should not be all about raw power to give order and authority. “No, that’s missing the point because politics is all about people’s welfare, security and sense direction for development”, he enthused.

Prince Madumere also advised the traditional rulers to stop playing games with power hungry politicians, urging them to stand by the truth, tell the truth and stop engaging in partisan politics.