Sacrosanctity of the rule of law

The deteriorating security situation in Nigeria is deepening by the day with the concomitant effect of pushing the country progressively to the throes of anarchy.

All over the country, it is the same ugly news of insecurity and violence flaring suddenly across the polity while the perpetrators blend suddenly and seamlessly in the society to evade the wrath of the law.

The country is jolted from all fronts by aggrieved politicians who are behind the violent activities of terrorist organisations, separatist movements, herders/farmers conflicts, religious intolerance and cultism. The most serious is perhaps the festering bickering within the elite class.

The recent devastating attacks on the Federal Correctional Centre, Owerri and the Imo State Police Command speak volume of the absence of patriotism in Nigeria - sending a dismal signal of total collapse of governance in Imo State especially in view of the fact that these two strategic federal institutions are integral component parts of the nation’s coveted conscience.

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma and his cabinet should go back to the drawing board to forge a strong alliance with other arms of government aimed at removing the lingering peace process in Imo State from limbo and bringing all the critical stakeholders from different ideological cum political divides together to build bridges of peace to enhance the security of Imo citizens. Focusing on the Camp Hope organisation as the only platform for political patronage has proved unproductive.

No government can function properly in the absence of cohesion among the critical stakeholders. Security issues must be given commensurate levels of attention in order to create the desired awareness among the citizenry.

Government should pursue policies that promote inclusiveness irrespective of political party orientation.

The police are the pride of the nation. The worst police is better than no police. Our police institution has been bastardised and humiliated with its morale presently at the lowest ebb since the #EndSARS protest. The police should be seen as friends and not enemies to be treated as a pariah institution.

The federal government must ramp up efforts to enhance the battered image of the Police Force and give it some measure of dignity by drastically improving the police welfare package. The police cannot deliver in the prevailing circumstance of spite and hate. Our freedom hinges squarely on the rule of law. Without the rule of law anarchy takes over and the freedom we earnestly seek becomes elusive.

The Buhari administration presently has two options: allowing the country to continue in its dangerous collision course with anarchy - sliding seamlessly into oblivion or adopting draconian measures to force state governors to function within the ambit of the nation’s extant laws especially on the independence of state legislatures, state judiciary and elected local government councils.

Finally, Nigerians must exercise tolerance in relating with other ethnic nationalities and work to establish popular ownership of the nation’s security agencies notably the army, police and other security outfits at all levels of governance as a morale booster to enable them shore to up their constitutional responsibilities of maintaining law and order in the society.

Bishop Udo

OMPALAN

Azogu,

President,