Tucano Planes: Bishop Kukah Is Not The Problem But, Your Strategy – NEF Tells FG
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has challenged the Federal Government to as a matter necessity stop the unnecessary attacks on Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic of Sokoto Diocese but, should focus on improving its strategies on the war against insurgency and terrorism in the country.
Spokesman of the Forum, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who stated this on African Independent Television (AIT), programme while reacting to a Presidency statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu in which he blamed Bishop Kukah among others, for the delay in the supply of Super Tucano fighter planes from the American government, meant to fight terrorists, stressed that overtime, Nigeria is known to have problem in procuring weapons from Western countries.
Baba-Ahmed pointedly said that he agreed with Bishop Kukah that the government needs to review its attitude particularly with regards to some of the issues raised by countries that are creating problems for the country with regards to selling weapons.
He said that the onus is on Nigeria to improve those conditions set by the Western countries, adding that the time to comply is now.
Baba-Ahmed said that the delay in the supply of the Tucano fighter planes was as a result of the human rights issues involving the armed forces and related agencies, as well as dealing with prisoners of war and people caught up in conflicts.
The NEF spokesman therefore advised the Presidency to direct its energy towards fixing the issues as against attacking Bishop Kukah.
Bab-Ahmed particularly noted that the spokespersons to President Muhammadu Buhari have a way of deflecting criticism by turning it personal, adding that when a Nigerian points to a shortfall in the quality of government, they find something to stick him with.
In his words; “People like Bishop Kukah and I, are used to this. We don’t take it seriously. This government should be criticized and must be criticized, and those who are ready to do so should be willing to take some of the words that Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina recycle every once in a while when we point out certain facts about the failings of the President in terms of securing the country.
“But the truth is, maybe they know this, maybe they don’t, the Nigerian Government has problems procuring weaponry from Western countries, because these countries, in most cases have standards regarding the conduct by their armed forces and related agencies, in terms of dealing on human rights issues, dealing with prisoners of war, dealing with populations caught up in conflicts.
“Everybody knows this. They will not sell you one bullet unless they are satisfied that you’ve met certain criteria. And they have raised issues over and over and over again. The Nigerian government knows this. But they need to improve the conduct of the Nigerian military, in the fight against the insurgency, against terrorists. They know this.
“So, whether it comes from Bishop Kukah, or it comes from me, we made the point that if we want to buy weapons from some of the Western countries, improve the way we wage this war. It can be done. It must be done if you want these weapons.
“You certainly don’t want to go the option of some other members of the government who say procure weapons from anywhere in the world, or just bring in mercenaries to fight a war for you.
Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Garba Shehu in a statement on Sunday, alleged that Bishop Kukah provided quotes to a new book written by former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, as well as addressed the US Congress, which fainted Nigeria’s image and affected the supply of weapons to fight terrorism in the country.
