By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
The Kebbi State Government has warned the Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Musa Maidoki, to desist from playing politics with security.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Ahmed Idris, where he described the news story attributed to the Senator as “most disturbing, most unpatriotic and most insensitive statements to a serving Senator from Kebbi State”.
According to him, the Senator was said to have disclosed that the Kebbi State Government was spending 6 billion naira on the ARMY annually.
“This is simply diversionary, improper, incorrect, and provocative. We wish to put it on record that His Excellency ,the Governor never told the Senator that such money was spent on the ARMY.
“The Senator’s statements were unguarded and spoke volumes of either his ignorance of security operations or a calculated desire to drag a committed government to needless distractions. No doubt the State Government has been committing a lot of funds in tackling our security challenges. However, such funds are spent on all security agencies, including vigilantes and other needs of affected communities.
“The biggest challenge facing the people of Kebbi State today is that of insecurity occasioned by the ruthless activities of bandits in many parts of Kebbi South, some parts of Kebbi North and Kebbi Central. As a responsible and responsive government, We consider it a sacred duty and responsibility to do everything possible to safeguard the lives and property of the people.
“The Kebbi State Government is encouraged by the huge successes recorded in the fight against banditry, with many families returning home to their communities and farms. This should be of positive interest tova Senator representing the people.”
He added that the Red Chamber is symbolic of the high sense of responsibility, which should characterize the patriots sitting in it to represent the people, make laws, promote greatness, and demonstrate patriotism. To use the hallowed chambers for anything else will amount to misrepresentation and misdirection .
“One expects that issues of security should be treated more carefully and with caution and sensitivity.If Facts had been cross checked and clarifications obtained from the Governor, such statements wouldn’t have emerged from a distinguished Senator .
“The Senator’s outbursts may not be unconnected with His Excellency, the Governor’s statements during the Zuru Uhola International Cultural Festival concerning the terrible state of roads leading to Zuru Emirate, particularly, the controversial and terrible Koko- Dabai road.
“The Governor ruffled feathers when he openly exposed the calculated efforts by some unpatriotic indegenes of Zuru, working in cohorts with some people to frustrate the efforts of the Kebbi State Government to have the contract for the road revoked by the Federal Government. The body language of the Senator has since confirmed his tacit approval of the disservice against his people. The governor is completely committed to the construction of that road and will continue to take every legal means to end the suffering of the people of the area.
“One wonders what the intention of the Senator was when he made the unguarded statement. The question to ask is, what efforts has the distinguished Senator made in solving the security and other challenges of his people?” He said.
Ahmed noted that “the Government of Kebbi State wishes to assure the people of Kebbi State of its total commitment to the protection of lives and property and the continuous provision of the dividends of democracy , peace, unity, and progress.
“The people of Kebbi State and especially Kebbi South are not interested in the politicization of its security challenges. What they want are solutions. As the Governor always said, politics is over. What remains is governance. Opposition politicians should, therefore, drop the negative politics of spite and join the government in moving the state forward.
“Patriotism is loving your people more than yourself and promoting their interest first before yours or any other interest. Certainly, Kebbi State is bigger than anyone person group, no matter who is involved. The people of Kebbi State are desperate for selfless and committed leaders, and they are bent on getting them.”
“It is as sad as it is unfortunate that the statement made by the senator is capable of not only reducing the moral of the security architecture but widening the scope of vulnerability of the security compromised areas of kebbi South.
The senator and his conspirators are envious if not totally afraid of the giant strides attained in the containment of security challenges for which reason he resorted to inflammatory , incisive, and false utterances.
“The statement of the Governor as regards the amount expended on security agencies still stands. Let it be known that security agencies include the Army, Police, Civil Defense , Dss, and other unconventional security outfits such as vigilante, hunters, etc. For the senator to allege that the sum of 500 million naira is spent monthly on the army is pure mischief and an attempt to discourage our security operatives and dampen their spirit.
“Before the advent of the present administration, the Senator can hardly travel to Zuru freely and sleep with two eyes open. The fact that he now goes home and move freely is a testament of government ‘ modest achievement in the war against terror in the area. If the senator is not happy with the new lease of life in his constituency, he should at least, not be saddened by the genuine efforts of the state government and security agencies to consolidate on the gains. Government will not fail un uts responsibilities to the good people of Kebbi State.
We therefore call on the senator to retract his unguided statement, or further legal action can be contemplated.
“The Kebbi State Government wishes to express once again, it’s deep appreciation to all security agencies working across the state( Army, police, Airforce, Civil Defense, DSS, Vigilante and others) for their selfless and unrelenting and patriotic services to our country. We urge that you should not be deterred or distracted.” He explained.
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