Prof, Damian Opata, the National Chairman, South East Movement for President Tinubu 2027, a support group, says it is unfair for anybody to call for President Bola Tinubu to resign because of security challenges in the country, a phenomenon he inherited from past administrations.
Opata who is also a National Official in Centre for the Promotion of Peace and Unity (CPPU), a centre partnering with Asiwaju Ambassadors and Friends for Good Governance and Better Nigeria said this in Nsukka on Saturday while speaking with newsmen.
He urged Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations to rally round the president so as to join hands towards finding a lasting solutions to the security challenges in the country.”
“Over two decades, Nigeria has been facing immense security challenges as a result of the violent attacks and activities of Boko Haram, armed bandits and other criminal syndicates.
“Whether you are in ruling or opposition party, Nigerians need to rally round the Mr.President by giving him maximum support that will help ameliorate the horrendous security challenges in the country.
“The Tinubu administration has been consistent in combatting insurgency in the country through increased budgetary allocations to different security agencies in Nigeria as well as adoption of modern technology driven approach to defence.
“The modernisation of the army, police, the declaration of national emergency on security, the recruitment and arming of forest guards, among others have been some of the measures to provide adequate security in the country,” he said.
The retired university don, advised Nigerians to emulate Americans who rallied round former President George W. Bush in September 11, 2001 when Al – Qaeda terrorists attacked the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in the well protected Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York.
“Killing no fewer than 3000 people from different nations including US citizens in one day; yet Americans did not tell President Bush to resign but supported their president to ensure all those involved in that evil were brought to book”, he said.
Opata said that despite the complex security challenges, President Tinubu has done very well in various sectors of the economy since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
He noted that in education the President has not only increased the budgetary allocation of the sector but established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) that enable less privileged students to get interest free loan to sponsor their education.
“This has not only increased access to higher education but has also reduced the financial burden among poor parents whose children are in higher institutions.
“Under President Tinubu’s administration the lingering ASUU 2009 renegotiated agreement with government was signed, and being implemented.
“The present industrial harmony in public universities in the country has averted ASUU nationwide strike, “he said.
According to the professor, increased allocations to states and local governments had also averted strikes in many sectors of the economy in the country.
The national chairman further noted that Tinubu’ s administration has constructed and rehabilitated
many roads across the country within its three years in office, a fact many opposition leaders have admitted and commended.
Opata also noted that President Tinubu and his team are currently working round the clock to establish State Police in the country so as to ensure adequate security of everybody in the country.
“Given successes of President Tinubu in .many sectors of the economy, it is certainly unfair for any opposition leader or anybody to tell him to resign because of security challenges in the country.
“What we needed now in the country is for every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations to work for the unity and peace of Nigeria,” Opata added.