Nigeria: Repentant killers, distracted Senators, and a nation in peril … Time to face reality. By Lai Gidado

Nigeria: Repentant killers, distracted Senators, and a nation in peril

… Time to face reality

In 2011, I wrote an article asserting that Nigeria is at war with her North and Central African neighbours. Yes, we are at war, but we are masking it with different names; banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, killer herdsmen, etc.

I don’t know if my Northern brothers see the war the way I do. This insurgency is beyond what any army battalion can easily overcome. We need to deploy modern warfare technology. The enemy is difficult to identify once he blends into the crowd.

Our greatest mistake in the last five years has been the policy of reintegrating “repentant” Boko Haram members into society. The government is, knowingly or not, creating avenues for the enemy to infiltrate and target vulnerable Nigerians.

With the use of drones and other modern techniques, our soldiers would be better equipped to confront these enemies. Through satellite surveillance and mobile tracking systems, our gallant troops can win this war. (Let’s not forget that soldiers are human beings too.)

Our legislators need to wake up and do the needful. At a time when lives are being lost daily in Benue and Plateau states, when bandits have taken over towns and villages in the Northwest and Niger State, our senators are wasting time discussing irrelevant matters, like seating positions and sexual harassment.

Let us hold a mirror to the upper chamber: Nigeria is becoming a laughing stock before the international community.

My take: Senate President Akpabio should submit to scrutiny

Women’s inclusion in African politics still requires deliberate study and deep understanding. Spouses of female politicians must be mature enough to trust and support their wives. Male politicians must give the utmost respect to their female counterparts and remember that she is someone’s daughter, wife, or sister.

They must grow beyond ego and recognise these ladies as equals, if not more. I recall the words of distinguished Senator Ita Giwa: “For a woman to campaign and win a senatorial seat, she is already a man.” The men in the chamber must accord these women due respect.

As a Nigerian, I have carefully observed the ongoing altercation in the Senate between distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President, distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio. Though ridiculous, it is clear that the Senate President did not handle the matter as expected of the upper house.

Former federal lawmaker and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, West Idahosa (SAN), challenged the legality of Senator Natasha Akpoti’s extended suspension, asserting that the Senate has overstepped its constitutional boundaries.

Idahosa emphatically stated that parliamentary suspensions face strict legal limitations: “You can’t suspend a sitting senator or lawmaker for more than 14 days, and not only that, you can also not suspend without hearing the other party.”

I was shocked to see the accused becoming the judge in a matter where he is directly involved. Are we in Animal Farm or an animal kingdom? Clearly, this is a wrong action at the wrong time.

Our senators should focus on how to win the multifaceted war raging across our land instead of trivialising national discourse with issues like sexual harassment.

At a time when inflation, hunger, and pest-infested crops plague our farmers and when armed herders are preventing farming activities, our politicians are busy discussing endorsements for elections that are still two years away. Are we even serious?

I remain baffled by our leaders’ belief that “repentant” Boko Haram members should be reintegrated into society. Honestly, we must pity our soldiers. Treat criminals as criminals. A murderer claims to have repented, and you let him walk freely among the same people he once terrorised? Hmmm… en fina sori orule sun. (You set the house on fire and went inside to sleep.)

President Tinubu must call the political class to order. This is no time for politicking. Let’s come together, united, to make Nigeria great.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

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Lai Gidado. 5th June 2025