. Ms Obe, Of course, it is an understatement to say "there is a slight problem with security in the country". The problem is huge, yes; but to make out that Jonathan's sacking or removal of the security chiefs is actually a genuine response to that is unconvincing. For instance, the announcement of the sacking of the security chiefs at about the same time Boko Haram struck in Bauchi could only have been a coincidence, as such a decision would most likely have been taken before the incidence. Fact is from his time as Acting President up till now, Jonathan has not showed anything to indicate that he has an answer to the rapidly deteriorating security situation. Indeed, the only things that have kept his interest are actions to consolidate his power and those preparatory to remaining in office beyond May 2011. From the Jos killings, through the kidnapping saga to the latest Boko Haram incidence, Jonathan's empty talks and body language reveals a man without ideas and the will to do anything. He sacked Seriki Mukhtar after Jos as National Security Adviser, but again, it wasn't really as a response to the security situation, rather it was part of his political calculation to undercut the Yar'Adua support within government in his own attempt to consolidate his power. Indeed, there is no better evidence of his true intentions than the reappointment of Aliyu Gusau, Obasanjo's former National Security Adviser and someone whose tenure as National Security Adviser under Obasanjo actually witnessed worse communal crises and killings in the same Jos and other places nationwide. The point I'm making isn't that Jonathan shouldn't respond to the deteriorating security situation, even if it means having to fire some people to get things right. However, Jonathan himself or his handlers have not indicated to us that these people were removed as part of his government's attempt to address our security problems. Indeed, he thanked them for their "outstanding stewardship, loyalty and defending the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". For me, if Jonathan was thinking the deteriorating security situation, he would be doing things much more fundamental than merely removing the service chiefs. First, he would know that the real answer lies with a thorough reorganisation of the police, because the structure we have now does not work. While considerations of decentralization of the force or its proper federalisation may be considered too much for him now (since he did not act on it earlier), there is no doubt that mere removal of the IG cannot be the answer. I mean, it really isn't about who heads the force, but what type of training its men receive at all levels, how it relates with the public, how it works, how it is funded and how it is supervised. Since our return to democratic government, Musliu Smith, Tafa Balogun, Ehindero, Okiro and Onovo have all come and gone, trailed by the charge of failure; so what gives anyone the idea that Hafiz Ringim is suddenly going to succeed where those ones have failed? What gives us such confidence when the structural and trust issues relating to the force are yet to be addressed? Secondly, Jonathan's relationship with Ringim raises questions about the propriety of the appointment. Here is a man who was ten places down the chain of command – behind six DIGs and three senior AIGs – yet, he is the man chosen to head the force. The only thing we can see recommending him ahead of others is the fact that he is close to Jonathan, having been Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa when Jonathan was Governor. But what confidence should we have when we note that it is the same Ringim that was used for the criminal closure of the Bayelsa Radio Station during the infamous Alams impeachment saga when, putting on his best falsetto voice, he gleefully informed an aghast nation that the closure was only due to a "technical fault" and nothing more? This is the same police officer who just failed the nation as AIG for Zone 9 Umuahia where the kidnapping menace held the nation hostage, just as he failed the nation as Commissioner of Police in Adamawa with his handling of the Numan sectarian crisis and in Bayelsa with the widespread violence, kidnapping and oil pipeline vandalism – all of which he had no answer for. Indeed, his response to the Abia kidnappings was to propose the setting up of an amnesty programme for kidnappers with him installed firmly as a member of the amnesty committee! And lest we forget, Ringim was the same man Jonathan, as Governor of Bayelsa State in 2006 gave N930 million supposedly for arms and ammunition for the police which reports said they put in a fixed account for six months, claimed N40 million interest they never accounted for and finally pocketed the whole money without buying any arms and ammunitions! So, anyone thinking I'm here celebrating Ringim as the answer to corruption in the police or our security problem after the failed Onovo would naturally be disappointed. Indeed, I look forward to him proposing amnesty for armed robbers, rapists, murderers and arsonists as the solution to our security problem! Seriously, his appointment is not about taking care of security; it's about taking care of the interest of his friend, Jonathan. Finally, I honestly cannot see how the elevation of Ringim above nine other officers ahead of him can help the police in terms of morale and internal stability. Such an action does not breed confidence in a hierarchical force like the police and it's obvious that this will lead to a lot of instability within the police because every administrative and operational area headed by these DIGs will be affected (not to talk of the more senior AIGs for Zones 2 and 7 and Force Headquarters). It follows that what we are likely to get now is a massive jostling for position within the police in every area instead of a concentration on the biggest security operation in four years in the form of the forthcoming elections. Destabilizing the police this way at a time we need them to be fully alert is self-defeating. So, I'm personally not looking forward to Ringim as a ringing success, because the signs are obvious that what we're likely to get under his watch is more of the same or worse.
CHEERS! ... --- On Thu, 9/9/10, Ayo Obe <ayo.m.o.obe@gmail.com> wrote:
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