Former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said he may be arrested for speaking frankly about Nigeria’s current challenges.
Al-Mustapha made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at the 3rd Late General Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference in Kaduna.
Describing the country’s condition as troubling, he said every Nigerian, from children on the streets to members of the elite, is aware of the nation’s difficulties. He also expressed concern over the situation in Northern Nigeria, which he described as “totally hopeless,” and accused today’s leaders of abandoning the ideals of the region’s founding fathers.
According to him, speaking the truth is the duty of patriots, while those who constantly praise political leaders without criticism are deceiving them.
Al-Mustapha also criticised Northern governors for failing to attend the conference, arguing that the event’s theme, “From Sacrifice to Strategy,” should have attracted their participation.
> “From the theme — From Sacrifice to Strategy — this alone ought to make all governors in the North be here as early as 8 a.m. They don’t have thinking, they don’t have sacrifice, they don’t understand, they also have no strategy,” he said.
He further alleged that the country’s leadership lacks a proper understanding of governance.
> “The system is rotten. They don’t care about their future. Those in leadership positions don’t even understand what leadership is all about,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Al-Mustapha declared that he was prepared to face the consequences of speaking out.
> “I wish I may be arrested here because I’ll speak the truth,” he said.