THE TRIPLE parties, including the terrorists, Federal Government, and the USA government, are unreservedly condemned for their anti-poor activities in regard to the insurgency in the country.
While we could hardly fault the reason for the ultimate airstrike in Sokoto as Nigerian government was lackadaisical and culpable of providing necessary intervention in putting a stop to the insurgency being on for the past sixteen years. If the government has been responsible enough to provide security and safe lives as provided for in the constitution, there would not have been any need for external forces to intervene as the USA did a few days ago.
Unfortunately, the government’s refusal to yield to the demands of security needs of the people underlined the degeneration in the state of insecurity.
The airstrike on the prompting of Trump-led government of USA could not be offered without pecuniary interest as USA is not known to provide military aid as “Father Christmas.” Nigeria is therefore going to pay for this huge military transaction put at $ 36.8 million.
But can the Bola Tinubu-led government be trusted in dealing with the situation decisively without the presence of the US government. This is doubtful based on the past experience of this government that doesn’t want to offend those who have links with the insurgents.
There is no doubt that Nigerian resources would be mortgaged to pay for this, if not immediately, but sooner than later. It was for this reason that not a few people earlier raised concern and objections to USA intervention for its consequences.
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One other negative repercussion of this to Nigeria is in the area of unfavourable diplomatic gesture as Nigeria is going to be treated as a no-go-area for investors and visitors due to her being designated as a terrorist country. Never in history has the country’s public image been so battered as we have it today.
We are not unmindful of how grievous the state of insecurity today is after the emergence of the Boko Haram in the North-East (Borno State) part of the country sixteen years (2009) ago. This has rampaged the entire northern region thereafter without leaving any area untouched. The agitation that started in the form of a protest against the establishment for corruption and other circumstances of herders-farmers clashes hinged on the factor of climate change. But the convergence of objectives of the actors became a public knowledge thereafter as it concerns the issue of Islamising the entire country. The intelligence available as to multi-million-dollar sponsorship for this gives credence to the actors beyond being perceived as simply ordinary criminals but an act that can best be compared with insurrection orchestrated by the conservative wing of the ruling class.
What is expected to be the outcome of the combined security forces of the USA and Nigerian governments? It would be foolhardy to think that the war could be won on the basis of the warlords being frightened to submission. The circumstances of the insurgency have proved beyond doubt how strong and connected they are beyond the foot soldiers perceived to be the main structure. So, to win the war, many factors would need to be taken into consideration, and this include their backers and financiers. So, the work of intelligence and force would both need to be utilised to achieve success.
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So much work would still depend on the government on the ground as the USA could not afford to stay here for long. On the other hand, if they have the mind to stay, it is unlikely they are going to have the support or cooperation of the larger number of Nigerians.
But can the Bola Tinubu-led government be trusted in dealing with the situation decisively without the presence of the US government. This is doubtful based on the past experience of this government that doesn’t want to offend those who have links with the insurgents.
The only alternative left to be tried is for the trade union movement to provide leadership role in mobilising the poor and victims of the system (especially farmers) in the course of the insurgence in order to put pressure on the government to be alive to its responsibilities.
With courage and audacity of hope, the working class leadership on occasion like this might lead to the rise of their leadership to political limelight.
Comrade Olamosu, is the National Coordinator, Centre for Social Policy and Labour Research (SOPLAR)
