By Abubakar Muhammed SaniĀ
Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, political violence has played an increasingly prominent role in the country’s election process. An unsettling aspect of the political process in Nigeria is the prevalence of violence, which can take the shape of physical, psychological, or even economic assault. This reality has become a reality that cannot be ignored. The democratic process is being seriously undermined as a result of the fact that the degree of this violence has been steadily increasing since the beginning of each new election cycle. It is imperative that measures be taken as soon as possible to address this problem and make certain that the democratic system in Nigeria is both effective and safe.
Next monthās general election is going to be very challenging but also exciting. Ever since the late Chief Alex Ekwueme lost out in the PDP presidential primaries to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1998, no man of southeast Asian extraction has generated as much attention and support as Mr. Peter Gregory Obi. The only person to whom I think I came closer was Senator Rochas Okorocha, but even what makes Mr. Obi different than Okorocha is that the former is very much entrenched in the southeast and the youth block to the extent that many people now see him as the face of a movement. There are those who say that the kind of energy and enthusiasm that is driving Mr. Obiās presidential bandwagon is similar to the one that has been propelling President Muhammadu Buhari in 2011 and 2015.
Despite this, I do not believe that Mr. Obi had the resources and the ability necessary to win the presidential election that will take place next month. Even if Chief Obasanjo is a staunch supporter of him, this does not necessarily mean that he will win the election. The simple fact that he is associated with Chief Obasanjo is enough for some individuals to avoid having any dealings with him at all. To be successful in the presidential elections in Nigeria, a candidate will need to garner support from a wide cross-section of the country. My guess is that Mr. Obi does not have that. He now possesses some block votes from the southeast as well as some sections of the north central region. These block votes are comparable to the 10 million block votes that President Buhari received from northern Nigeria in the presidential elections of 2002, 2007, and 2011. However, a vote in a single region is not enough to win elections, and even a vote that encompasses both the southeast and the north central will not be enough. However, Mr. Obi has a strong possibility of becoming president in the not-too-distant future.
What gives me goose bumps is the security of Mr. Obi because he seems to be naĆÆve, carefree, and careless about his security. There is a strong possibility that some fifth columnists who are hell bent on destroying and destabilizing this country will make an attempt on his life. Politicians can go to extremes to get the attention of the people to vote for them, and one of the ways they usually do that is by staging an attack against their own candidate so that the electorate will think it is his opponents who did it; that way, they can generate some sympathy votes for the candidates. But in the case of Mr. Obi, I think we may likely see a repeat of what we witnessed in 2014, when the motorcade of then General Buhari was attacked by suspected terrorists in Kaduna. Luckily for then President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso gifted a newly armored car to Buhari; otherwise, he could have been killed if the car wasnāt armored. Reflecting on the attack, Buhari said āI think Kwankwaso was being generous. He gave me an armoured Land Rover vehicle. He said I should use it because he believed the competition I was going on involved people who would like to eliminate me.Ā I was going to Kano from Kaduna in that jeep and a vehicle wanted to overtake us but my escort stopped them and they detonated the bomb. When I looked, I saw pieces of human beings. None of us in the vehicle were injured. But somehow I saw blood on me because of the number of people killed outside by the bomb.ā
What could have happened if Buhari was killed in that attack would have been very disastrous because his supporters in the north and, in fact, the APC would have accused the PDP and former President Jonathan of killing him.
It is an undeniable reality that if something were to happen to the presidential candidate of the Labor Party, the country would be faced with an unprecedented level of crisis. The potential implications of such a situation are difficult to comprehend and can only be fathomed by God. It is therefore of paramount importance that we ensure the security of the presidential candidates for the best interests of the country. As a certified anti=terrorism specialist, I know that it is important to always be aware of potential security issues and to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of the organization. By conducting regular security analysis and anticipating potential problems, leaders can better prepare their organization to handle unforeseen situations and remain resilient. This critical analysis helps identify potential weaknesses in the countryās security measures and helps leaders take the necessary steps to protect their people from potential threats. Therefore, it is essential for leaders to always do security analysis and foresee things before they happen.
There is a particular group of sinister people in Nigeria who are very adept at orchestrating chaos and then swiftly stepping in to use the chaos to advance their causes and cover their tracks. These people have no soul and no conscience. Unfortunately for Nigeria, they are fully embedded in the system, and their tentacles reach far and wide. Regardless of what anyone wills, many Nigerians are not happy with the crop of presidential flag bearers both the APC and the PDP have produced, and they rightly or wrongly see Mr. Obi as a threat. Therefore, it will not be a surprise if they make an attempt on his life. We saw how recently Mr. Imran Khan was attacked during a rally in Pakistan. Although Pakistan has a history of attacking leading political candidates, I think the political climate of Pakistan has some semblance of with Nigeria.
It is important to recognize that chaos all over the world does not simply occur; it is caused by people who either allow it to happen, or actively plan it. In many cases, those responsible are in positions of power, making it their duty to either prevent or create chaos in the world. As a result, people must be held accountable for their actions if they fail to take the measures necessary to stop chaos from occurring. Doing so is necessary to ensure that chaos does not continue to occur, and that justice is served to those responsible.
It is deeply concerning that, nearly eight years after the motorcade of President Buhari was attacked in Kaduna, no one has been apprehended by the government of Nigeria for this crime. This is an unacceptable situation, and it is incumbent upon the government to take appropriate steps to ensure that justice is served and perpetrators of this attack are brought to justice. It is vital that the government ensures that citizens have confidence in the country’s legal system and its ability to protect them from such injustices.
If the Labour Party’s presidential candidate is to stand a chance in the coming days, it is essential that they take the necessary steps to ensure his security is of the highest priority. This means implementing a comprehensive security strategy, which should include measures such as increased surveillance and increased security personnel. As a presidential candidate, Mr. Obi is a target, and as such, they should always be aware of their surroundings and be cautious of potential threats. This is especially important in the days leading up to the election, as they are highly disposable and can become a political target in a matter of seconds.
I would like to take this opportunity to urge President Buhari to take the necessary steps to ensure that all presidential candidates are adequately protected. This will be essential in order to protect them from any potential attacks by enemies of Nigeria and guard against any blame being directed at the government. If adequate protection is provided, it will also be a positive statement that the government takes these issues seriously and is committed to protecting the safety of individuals in the country.