Leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, on Wednesday, described President Bola Tinubu’s order to service chiefs and the security agents as a wrong approach to tacking insecurity in Plateau State and other parts of the country.
He said it would amount to efforts in futility for the President to handle the security challenges facing the country in the same manner as his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari who he said was always saying he had given “marching orders to the security agents “while insecurity persisted all through the period he was in power.
Adebanjo spoke in Jos on Wednesday when he paid a condolence visit to the Jos residence of a former Governor of Plateau State and first National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Late Chief Solomon Lar, following the Christmas Eve attacks that claimed over 150 persons in Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of the state.
Adebanjo, who was accompanied by other Afenifere chieftains, was received on arrival by the wife of Lar, Prof Mary Lar, former Minister of Aviation during the second Republic, Samuel Mafuyai, former House of Representatives member, Beni Lar, the Plateau state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Joshua Ubandoma, and Special Adviser to Plateau State Governor, Olivia Dazyem among other dignitaries.
The Afenifere leader who earlier visited the state Governor and the Gbong Gwom Jos insisted that for Tinubu to succeed in the fight against insecurity, those behind the killings must be arrested and prosecuted.
Adebanjo said, “When Buhari was in office, we said he was behind those killing Nigerians. We told him (Buhari) that those killing us are in his government, House Representatives and the Senate. When it (killings) happens, he would say he has given marching orders. We want action and not marching orders. In the end, nothing happens. No arrest even after our complaints.
“Now, we have another President. And we are faced with the same security challenge. We want action from President Tinubu and not marching orders. Anybody who wants to impress Nigerians must go after those behind the killings. They must be arrested and prosecuted if he wants the problem to be solved.”
The Afenifere leader consoled the people of the state who lost loved ones during the attacks.
He noted that the late Solomon Lar stood for peace and justice when he was alive and appealed to the people to be strong and not give in to the antics of the invaders.
The wife of the former Governor, Prof Mary Lar, thanked the Afenifere leader for the visit pointing out that the visit would go a long way to strengthen them and the people of the state in their challenging times.
She recalled that she and her late husband were always at the residence of Late Obafemi Awolowo and expressed joy that the Afenifere leader had not forgotten the friendship with her late husband despite the years gone by.
“Your coming has strengthened us. We were always at Baba Awolowo’s place when we were newly married.
“Thank God for that unity between our dady(Chief Solomon Lar) who is your friend. We thank you as well for the unity you have continued to build between South South, South West, the Middle Belt and other parts of the country.
“If there is no justice, there can be no peace and unity. we appreciate the role of the elders who travelled miles to Jos. God will honour you. The younger ones will learn from the old ones and the younger ones spread the gospel. My husband lives for peace and unity in the country.
“It is that good name that we are surviving on today not plenty of houses or wealth.
“We must stop pursuing wealth and embrace a good name for the good of our country”, she said.
