NIGERIA: Boko Haram Is A Threat To National Unity – Gov. Kwankwaso, Describes As Mistake To View Insurgency As Only Northern Problem!

Benin, Edo, Nigeria – By Oladipo Airenakho.

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State has sounded a note of warning to Nigerians who believe Boko Haram insurgency currently ravaging the Northern part of the country is only a problem of the region, saying it constitutes a national problem and one that threatens the unity of the nation.

Kwankwaso, a former Minister for Defense, gave the warning while reacting to a question drawing his attention to how elders were engaged to help bring to an end, militancy in the Niger-Delta and youth restlessness in the western part of Nigeria respectively.

He wondered when it had become only the responsibility of the elders in the north to rein in the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, saying Nigerians’ collective efforts were needed to combat the scourge, “fast becoming a threat to the unity of Nigeria.”

The Governor told the nation while speaking in Benin City at a “Meet The Press Live” television program” of the Edo State-owned broadcasting service  at which Alltimepost.com correspondent was present,  that the reality on the ground was an indication that the federal government must do whatever it can to bring the insurgency to an end.

‘’The mistake southerners are making is to believe that the Boko Haram insurgency is domiciled in only the northern part of the country. But believe me they are moving and spreading. It started in a small part of Maiduguri but today we have seen bomb attempts in Lagos.’’

Governor Kwankwaso who said he did not want the country to be ungovernable because it would affect him and his family advised those in government to stop amplifying differences at the national, State and local levels.

‘’This is the mistake many people are making on north and south basis. We have never been so polarized in this country than now.’’

The Kano State Chief Executive Officer made reference to his era as Minister of Defense of the country and spoke on the performance of the Nigerian army, expressing surprise and shock at their current discouraging level of performance in dealing with the insurgency.

‘’As a former Minister for Defense I left a military that was well trained, efficient, and loyal. I am shocked and surprised about what is happening today.’’

Asked if he had any regrets as regard his introduction of Sharia law in Kano State, given the belief by some people that it is a good platform for extremists and potential Boko Haram to thrive, Governor Kwankwaso said he did not subscribe to such belief.

He agreed that there was correlation between insecurity and poverty, insecurity and idleness, and insecurity and illiteracy all of which are currently bedeviling most part of Nigeria but said the introduction of sharia in some States in Nigeria should not be blamed for the scourge of Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

‘’What many of you do not understand is that what is in the sharia law is also in the penal code which the judiciary regularly apply.’’

The Kano State Governor who said every right thinking Nigerian should condemn the activities of Boko Haram called on Nigeria’s friends within and outside the country to support the Federal government effort at dealing with the problem.

“Every material resource should be mobilized to fight Boko Haram insurgents in the country,” he appealed.