Sunday Igboho: The Government’s Alibi For Failure

The recent arrest of the embattled leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), highlights the capability of the Nigerian government to track whosoever it wants.

But the valid question on the minds of many Nigerians is why the same government seems to lack solutions to the security crisis. Many wonder why the government is yet to form an alliance with its counterparts in Niger, Chad, Cameroon in bringing terrorists to book.

Some Nigerian states have become a no-go area due to the fear of kidnapping and killing by either criminal Fulani herdsmen or bandits. These criminal elements have turned kidnapping into a huge business venture. It is so bad, that an Emir in Katsina was seen weeping after being released by his captors. If a palace is not a safe haven, where is?

When the Emir wept on his return from captivity, it became apparent that all is not well. These criminals are so emboldened, that they whisked away the traditional ruler and 13 members of his family who are still in their den. It is understandable that the Emir is traumatized by his ordeal and the fate of his family members.

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Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho become more popular

But it appears that the priority of the Nigerian government is terribly misplaced. Extraditing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and pushing for the extradition of Igboho, who has been clamouring for the Yoruba Nation, seems to be top of the agenda. Whereas it should be securing the lives and property of its citizens.

Looking at Igboho’s media popularity, it doesn’t help the government in the long run. His arrest and the re-arrest of Kanu have placed Nigeria in the line of sight of international governments.

International bodies are becoming more interested in the outcome of Sunday Igboho’s extradition trial. The embattled agitator was arrested in Benin Republic at the request of the Nigerian government. The outcome of this will soon be known.

That he is deported or otherwise shouldn’t be the problem of the government. Rather, they need to address critical issues in the country. Nigeria has never been more divided than under the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Many are now clamouring for secession and restructuring.

2023 and electronic result transmission

To make matters worse, the National Assembly found it hard to pass a law that will give the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) the power to transmit results electronically. The process is not rocket science; someone with a phone needs to text election results to the central system with the aid of just a 2G network.

As the world prepares for 5G network, where we find ourselves is simply shameful. Nigerian lawmakers hoodwinked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) into saying that less than 50 percent of the country has network coverage.

But it raises the question of how bandits record videos, take pictures and send them to the internet in the North East. Senator Ali Ndume even followed the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers to vote along party lines. There isn’t much to be said for the integrity of a politician who hops from party to party to when it suits.

This could be an early indication of what to expect in the 2023 elections. So, more of the same is what Nigeria is likely to experience while its counterparts in Ghana and beyond have moved on.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration came with their mantra, to end corruption, fix the economy and end insecurity. Has he been able to achieve this? The records are there for the facts.

Is Sunday Igboho Nigeria’s main problem?

It is high time the government focuses on its core mandate. Fulfilling its electoral promise will put smiles back on the faces of Nigerians. Once everyone knows that their vote will count, that’s a great starting point.

It all started when the government at both state and federal levels failed to stop the killings of indigenes of Igangan by suspected Fulani herdsmen or bandits. The message sent by Igboho and his comrade is clear. They are not getting a fair deal in the Nigerian nation. The Yoruba group seems to be more serious about this move. They are now planning to present their case at the next United Nations General Assembly.

Everyone will be blaming Buhari very soon for the country’s problem. Looking at it holistically, Buhari is just a supervisor of many people. But it also behooves on his capacity, character, and competence. The body language of the president is nothing to write home about.

The government needs to reunite the country by ensuring equal participation in government by all regions. Buhari needs to stop playing goose chase by fixing the country. It’s time for the ruling government to call a spade a spade. Igboho’s quest for secession is not Nigeria’s problem now but to preach unity and make the country safe for all.