Benue: APC Has Found The Strategy To Win Elections, But Has Not Found The Strategy To End Insecurity And Poverty - Olawepo Hashim

A former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has decried the waves of insecurity, violence, killings and destruction of properties in various parts of Nigeria.

According to him, the deepening challenges of insecurity are being sponsored by terror groups with global links who want to create a parallel state within Nigeria.

Speaking in a statement on Thursday against the backdrop of the recent massacre of over 200 civilians in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, the politician called out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for so far failing to arrest the violence and the perpetrators.

He lamented that security has completely broken down in Northern Nigeria and the APC-led government seem not to have any solution.

Olawepo-Hashim criticized the APC, submitting that the ruling party has "found the strategy to win elections, but they have not found, or pretend not to find, the strategy to end insecurity and poverty,ÔÇØ in the country.

He urged the government to take urgent measures to curb the insecurity and prevent its spread to other states and regions of the country.

He said: "The killings in Benue last weekend are a tragic reminder of the complete breakdown of security in Northern Nigeria. What we are witnessing is not isolated violence, but a coordinated effort by a mortal alliance of terror groups whose goal is to carve out a State within Nigeria.ÔÇØ

"This wave of terror is not limited to Benue or the Northeast but has progressively engulfed large parts of the Northwest, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna and some sections of Katsina States, where communities continue to suffer loss of life, livelihoods, and dignity.ÔÇØ

As a way out, All Facts News reports that he recommended the decentralization of policing through the establishment of State and Local Police, adding that the delay by the federal government is either gross negligence or willful complicity.

"Since 2014, the APC has found the strategy to win elections, but they have not found, or pretend not to find, the strategy to end insecurity and poverty.

"Nigeria is not such a weak State as her current rulers are making it look. We were once the pride of Africa's military diplomacy. The question now is whether our leaders have the will and patriotism to save the country,ÔÇØ he added.

He called on all Nigerians to put aside all sentiments and see themselves as stakeholders in combating the insecurity ravaging the country.

"This is a defining moment for our country. We must act now or risk losing the republic to a violent, extremist alternative. May God save and bless NigeriaÔÇØ, he said.