Herdsmen killings: Why Buhari should address Nigerians – APC chieftain, Eyo Etim Nyong

An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart in Cross River State and pioneer board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation over herdsmen killings.

He said it was expedient that President Buhari spoke to Nigerians personally to reassure them of the steps put in place to confront the disturbing spate of insecurity and insurgencies in the country.

“There are several interpretations; some people see it as politically sponsored murders, others see it as a programme of Islamazation and some also see it as communal clashes that is just deepening, etc,” he said.

Speaking with newsmen in Calabar, Prof Nyong said “As far as I am concerned, I do not really know the true position, but I think, as a true Nigerian and a member of All Progressive Congress that want my party to win elections, what is happening and the way it is going around in the media is not in the best interest of my party.

“So, I support the idea that our leader and President of the country, the commander in chief of our armed forces, also being the chief security officer of this country, President Buhari should address the people and let the people know his own opinion on the matter and what strategy he has put in place or government has put in place to resolve the issue.”

He noted that “When President Buhari came into office and was determined to fight Boko Haram, we saw the actions that were put in place, and Nigerians need to see what actions are put in place to resolve this issue, so that we can restore the confidence of our people on APC. That is my main concern.

“Yes there could be compromises here and there, ethnic or religious compromises, but the government is independent, the government is for everybody, and the leader of the government has the right and the responsibility to speak out and say the mechanism he has put in place to resolve the issue and curb the situation. I am hoping that President Muhammad Buhari will do that soon.”

Nyong, who also responded to question on what he thinks the new chairman of the APC, Comrade Adems Oshiomhole should do as a priority as he takes over the reins of chairmanship of the party said “Oshiomhole, we all know is a sharp speaking and no-dull-moment personality.

“He is a comrade; he has come in at a time when there are responsibilities on the ground waiting for him. There are so many states that had crisis arising from the illegally and improperly conducted congresses in many states, parallel congresses and Excos in many places, so for me that should be his immediate focus, so that all the states can be on the same page.

“That should be his priority; wherever there is problem: move in and resolve this crisis. Move in as a neutral body asking for the right thing to be done; dismissing illegality at every level wherever it is found.

“When you provide credible leadership in all states, the party will be strong to face the opposition. That should be his first and major priority. With that, the party can then develop strategies for winning elections in different and many states as possible.”