Former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rise above board amid the growing tension of kidnappings and killing pervading the country.
Oyinlola stated this on Monday while paying a condolence visit to the National Leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political organization, Pa Reuben Fasoranti over the death of her daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunrin, who was killed last week Friday by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Benin-Sagamu expressway.
According to the former governor,
Buhari’s emergence as President in 2015 was hinged on the belief that as a General, the issue of insecurity militating against the country will be dealt with but the reverse had been the case.
His words: “One of the reasons some of us backed President Buhari in 2015 was his perceived competence to security matters given his training and status as a general of Nigerian Army. He needs to redeem his image now that deadly criminals have taken over the land, rubbishing all he has ever lived for.
“He need to come out clearly now, address the nation, outlining clearly his war plans to safeguard the life and property of all Nigerians in all state. Nigerians want to hear him directly not through an aide or party chiefs. He is the one they voted for as Commander in Chief and not anyone else.”
He added that, “The murder of Mrs Funke Olakunrin in broad daylight came as a shock and a rude reminder to all of us that our country is in terrible times. This is a time for all patriots to be sober and reflect on how we got to this Hobbesian point when life has become nasty, brutish and short.
“With this tragic incident and several reported and unreported ones across the country, particularly in the south west, it is time to say enough.
“Certainty of arrest and severity of punishment are time-tested deterrent to crimes and criminality. Criminal, evil minded persons will always have a free reign where impunity is condoned.”
“However, government must not be emotional about arrest and punishment. The government has a lot of work to do to convince Nigerians that it is for law abiding citizens and that these criminals are not above the law.
“Government must never be seen as being hostage to, or complicity of crime and criminality. Government exits to protect lives and property; they do not exist to release condolence messages after each avoidable death as this.
“These criminals have declared a war against our nation and we should take the war to them. The Federal Government is expected to lead the war without bringing politics to it and without any emotional bias against the law.”
