Nigeria's Response to Tom Marino's Letter Appalling- Yemi Adebowale

Still on US Congressman, Tom Marino’s Dispatch
Federal government’s response to the letter written by Tom Marino, a member of the United States Congress, urging Secretary of State, John Kerry, to withhold security assistance to Nigeria was appalling. Instead of addressing issues raised by Marino, President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aides spent quality time abusing the congressman. Issues raised by Marino were valid. For example, he wants Buhari to demonstrate a commitment to inclusive government and to uphold the tenets of democracy. Buhari’s lopsided appointments and open hatred for Igbos, is a reflection of an administration not interested in inclusive government. The facts are obvious and all over our nation.

Marino, a Republican from Pennsylvania said that there were a number of warning signs emerging in the Buhari administration that signal autocratic tendencies. He wrote: “The man who once led Nigeria as a military dictator might be sliding towards former autocratic tendencies. I would urge the U.S. to withhold its security assistance to the nation until Buhari demonstrates a commitment to inclusive government and the most basic tenets of democracy – freedom to assemble and freedom of speech. A logical start towards this commitment is for the Nigerian government to hold accountable those members of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Military complicit in extra-judicial killings and war crimes.

“Human rights groups like Amnesty International have widely documented torture, inhumane treatment, and extra-judicial killings of defenceless Nigerians since President Buhari took office. In the last six months, Nigeria’s military has unlawfully killed at least 350 people and allowed more than 168 people, including babies and children, to die in military detention.

“The Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State even admitted to burying 347 of those killed in a mass grave. And while President Buhari promised swift condemnation, his words rang empty. Instead of swift reforms, Buhari chose to reinstate Major General Ahmadu Mohammed, who Amnesty International revealed was in charge of the Nigerian military unit that executed more than 640 unarmed detainees.

“Also, in separate incidents concerning the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Nigerian Army has killed at least 36 – the real number is likely higher – people since December 2015 in an attempt to silence opposition and quell attempts by the group to gather publicly. Of President Buhari’s 122 appointees, 77 are from the north and control many of the key ministries and positions of power. Distrust is already high in Nigeria and favouring Northerners for key appointments has only aggravated the issue.

“Of additional concern is President Buhari’s selective anti-corruption drive, which has focused almost exclusively on members of the opposition party, over-looking corruption amongst some of Buhari’s closest advisors. Politicizing his anti-corruption efforts has only reinforced hostility among southerners.”
Clearly, we can all see that his congressman backed everything he wrote with facts and figures. Buhari and his media aides should address issues raised instead of grandstanding. This is the only way forward for our great nation.

THISDAY 9 Sept.2016