Alleged Arms Build

Alleged Arms Build-Up In Kogi Central, The Limit Of Security Mischief

Emeka Oraetoka

It is becoming clearer to discerning intellectuals that many Executive Office holders are by their political utterances committing treasonable felony- Concerned Nigerian, lamenting about the wilder implication of Chief Philip Salawu’s comment, published in Nigerian Tribune of 25^th August, 2005 to the overall security circumstances of Kogi state and Nigeria in general. Not too long ago, president Obasanjo had to probably skip his tight schedule to settle what appeared to be organized political crisis, at least from the latest comment credited to Chief Philip Salawu, in Government house Lokoja. This is quite unfortunate and portends great danger to the polity, and should not be swept under the carpet, warned intelligence experts. What makes the allegation of arms build-up in Kogi state, by the depu ty governor, potentially dangerous is that since it was made, the Chief Executive of Kogi State, who is the Chief Security officer, probably has not issued any statement in denunciation, fueling fear that both the Chief Security Officer and his Second in Command, could generally be in mischievous agreement as to arms build-up in Kogi central – Ebira land.

Let us assume for the purpose of argument that there is arms build-up in Kogi Central. Could issue as grievous as arms build-up be tackled by mere press conference by Salawu, and probably his supporters? The “looming Crisis” comment credited to Pastor Joseph Suleiman, the leader of Ebira Youth Congress [EYC], suggested that the occasion of the press conference by Salawu and his supporters afforded him, Salawu the opportunity of receiving one of the security reports; he said he is in possession of. Security experts have reasoned that if this was the case, it is the most unsophisticated way of receiving and treating security reports. They pointed to the fact that when the Governor and his deputy took oath of office, they swore to defend the constitution. In-fact, they swore to protect the citizens of Kogi state; as was applicable to the thirty six (36) states of the federation-they swore to provide security in their respective states. The president and his deputy at the federal level also swore to defend the constitution. It is a settled fact that the security apparatus of states’ are in the hands of state governors, for protection of lives and properties; at the federal level, the president and commander-in-chief, oversees the security of the nation. The Constitution gives them the powers to do anything in protection of lives and property. In the Tribune report, Chief Salawu blamed the massive arms build-up in Kogi central senatorial district of the state, on the desperation of politicians who wanted power shift at all cost. By political analysts’ calculations, it follows that the politicians in Ebira land are probably planning to take up arms against any senatorial zone that threatens their ambition. It also pre-supposes that these politicians are against him, Salawu, probably because he believes in dialogue as a means of getting power shift. The report also assumed that a section of politicians in the same Kogi central are for “power retaining”-that is, he should remain the second in command. With his revelation, intelligence experts believe that the honourable thing for him to do in this circumstance is resignation. They reasoned that it is rather alarming that the second in command in a state is raising alarm about arms build-up when he knows what to do as the Deputy Chief Security Officer of the state.

Watchers of Kogi state politics are of the view that Chief Philips Salawu was probably flying arms build-up kite with a view to getting even with his estranged godfather, Senator A. T. Ahmed, said to be undisputed godfather of Kogi central police. Information had it that the said crisis that attracted presidential intervention, emanated form supremacy battle between Salawu’s nascent camp and that of Ahmed. Reports have it that when PDP zoned the position of deputy governor to Kogi central, A.T. Ahmed nominated him. It is believed that no sooner he got to Lugard house, than he started fighting A. T. Ahmed, for reason(s) best known to them. Rational minds are however, wondering whether there is any justification for indicting the whole people of Ebira land, as blood thirsty f ellows as suggested by Salawu’s comment? Many still agree that Chief Salawu may not be able to justify this arms build-up theory, in view of the fact that he can use his good office to summon meeting of stakeholders in Kogi Central, to fish out those behind it. According to political pundits, supposing the power shift agitation becomes a reality, will he offer himself for election, in view of this obvious damaging self indictment of been incapable of curtailing arms build-up, as the Deputy Chief Security Officer? Certainly, his comment could go a long way in affecting the morals of those representing Kogi Central at the national level. The other time, the Senator representing the zone at the national assembly had to embark on protest on the marginalization of the zone in federal appointment[s], to which the other Senators at the hallow chamber on that faithful day agreed with him. Even the Senator, whose zone benefited from the vexed appointment, apparently succumbed to his solid and penetrating argument. In view of this, won’t Mohammed Ohiare, feel intimidated in projecting his people at the national assembly. What will be the feeling of those at the House of Representatives? Will they have the courage to fight for the people of Kogi Central considering the comment of their brother? The writer believes that their must be limit to the language politicians should employ in politics and politicking. A situation where the deputy Chief Security Officer of a state is raising alarm on arms build-up is the height of security mischief. It should be discouraged at all cost.

Emeka Oraetoka Information Management Consultant Wrote in from Garki – Abuja.

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