Opposition Congress forProgressive Change, CPC described President Goodluck Jonathan’s trip to Borno and Yobe States as fruitless.The party in a statementtoday by Rotimi Fashakin its spokesman said “; it is difficult to believe that the real reason (for the trip) was not a very infantile desire to match up the progressive governors’ tumultuous visit to Borno state in the preceding week!”
Fashakin in a statement titled:”The President’s tour of Borno and Yobe states: another meretricious expedition?!” said “On Thursday, 7th March, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan began a two-day tour of Yobe and Borno states, ostensibly to observe the relics of the unabated insecurity emblazoned on the residents of these states in the last three years. Though the spin doctors at the Nation’s power corridor have, in their usual inimitable deceptive style, told the nation that the guided tour had been in the plans for a long time; it is difficult to believe that the real reason was not a very infantile desire to match up the progressive governors’ tumultuous visit to Borno state in the preceding week!
“The unanswered question remains: what has changed between the serial postponements of the President’s visit to these states in the last two years because of the predictable reason of unfavorable security reports and the decision to visit last Thursday? Was it the feat of the Progressive Governors in freely interacting with the people on the streets of Maiduguri (with minimal security presence) that made the President believe a trip to these hot-beds is possible, albeit with the aid of a 3,000-strong Police force ably led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP)? It was obvious that the knee-jack response of the Presidency to the Progressive Governors’ visit did not consider the necessity of a meaningful interface with the traumatized citizenry as an integral part of such a visit!
According to CPC ,”The antecedents of the President in courageous crisis management leave much to be desired. It would be recalled that after the bomb blast at the precinct of Eagle square – the venue of the Independence anniversary on 1st October, 2010 – a timorous presidency shifted the subsequent celebrations to within the barricaded walls of the Aso-villa! The question is: with a supposition of a bomb blast around the Aso- villa, would the President’s official residence be shifted to Otuoke in Bayelsa state? It is our belief that Power of the President/Commander-in-Chief comes with the responsibility that transcends mere adornment with the epaulette of a Field Marshall at National ceremonies. The President, like the ancient Centurion, should never be lacking in nobility, honor and valor.
“In the last three years, hundreds of Nigerians in these Northern states had been deceased, with many more suffering different degrees of disabilities. Indeed, countless many of Nigerians in these areas
have been caught in the cross fire of the War beyond boundaries that have defined daily living. All these are desirous of succor from the leadership.
“Undoubtedly, the President’s visit would serve no useful purpose and indeed very meretricious if there is no cogent plan for rehabilitating the displaced and bringing normalcy to the socio-economic life of the
people. After all, the Constitution is unambiguous in aptly declaring that the purpose of Government shall be the welfare and security of the People!
“Meanwhile, it is left to be seen how the President’s visit, which was mainly about flying above the heads of the Nigerian residents in these areas, would help to solve the intractable issues on the ground.God bless Nigeria.”
