Stop Playing Politics with Insecurity, Labour Tells PDP, APC

For the umpteenth time, the political class has been cautioned against playing politics with the crucial issue of security of lives and property of the citizenry. The organised labour in the nation’s oil and gas sector workers yesterday added its voice to the call for a more circumspect attitude to the issue of security. The body called on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the northern leaders to stop playing politics with the issue of insecurity. It also advised security agencies in the country to change their strategies in combating the carnage being carried out by the Boko Haram insurgents, stressing that the restiveness in the northern part of the country is putting Nigeria’s co-existence in jeopardy. Speaking under the umbrella of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the group maintained that only the concerned efforts of all Nigerians irrespective of political lineage can put an end to the continued attacks by the insurgents. PENGASSAN President, Babatunde Ogun, who made this call in a statement, said given the alarming rate at which the terrorists group is operating in the country, there is no need for any party or individual to trade blames. “With the situation on ground, particularly the attacks on innocent Nigerians in the last few weeks, we can see that instead of the terrorists’ activities to be abating, it seems to be on the increase. This is in spite of the assurance given to Nigerians by the Chief of Army Staff when he assumed office. “We will rather advise that instead of blaming any party or those in government, as we have seen in the last few weeks, when the opposition party, the APC, blamed the PDP for the attacks; and the PDP in return blamed the APC for fanning the embers of terrorism in the country, there should be concerted efforts by all Nigerians to combat the war against terrorism in Nigeria. “The opposition party should put forward strategies that they know can be used to combat the insurgency, while the government should be open to suggestions and advices that can end terrorism in Nigeria,” Ogun said. He urged the governors to collaborate with the chief security officers of their states and the federal government to proffer solutions to the insurgency attacks in the country. Speaking also, the union’s National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Seyi Gambo, said it was important that the security agencies and the federal government review their strategy for combating terrorism in the country, noting that the current strategy has proofed to be inadequate and ineffective. He urged the security agencies, particularly the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and intelligence units of the police, army, air force and defence headquarters to put in extra efforts in intelligence gathering to end terrorism in the country. For the umpteenth time, the political class has been cautioned against playing politics with the crucial issue of security of lives and property of the citizenry. The organised labour in the nation’s oil and gas sector workers yesterday added its voice to the call for a more circumspect attitude to the issue of security. The body called on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the northern leaders to stop playing politics with the issue of insecurity. It also advised security agencies in the country to change their strategies in combating the carnage being carried out by the Boko Haram insurgents, stressing that the restiveness in the northern part of the country is putting Nigeria’s co-existence in jeopardy. Speaking under the umbrella of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the group maintained that only the concerned efforts of all Nigerians irrespective of political lineage can put an end to the continued attacks by the insurgents. PENGASSAN President, Babatunde Ogun, who made this call in a statement, said given the alarming rate at which the terrorists group is operating in the country, there is no need for any party or individual to trade blames. “With the situation on ground, particularly the attacks on innocent Nigerians in the last few weeks, we can see that instead of the terrorists’ activities to be abating, it seems to be on the increase. This is in spite of the assurance given to Nigerians by the Chief of Army Staff when he assumed office. “We will rather advise that instead of blaming any party or those in government, as we have seen in the last few weeks, when the opposition party, the APC, blamed the PDP for the attacks; and the PDP in return blamed the APC for fanning the embers of terrorism in the country, there should be concerted efforts by all Nigerians to combat the war against terrorism in Nigeria. “The opposition party should put forward strategies that they know can be used to combat the insurgency, while the government should be open to suggestions and advices that can end terrorism in Nigeria,” Ogun said. He urged the governors to collaborate with the chief security officers of their states and the federal government to proffer solutions to the insurgency attacks in the country. Speaking also, the union’s National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Seyi Gambo, said it was important that the security agencies and the federal government review their strategy for combating terrorism in the country, noting that the current strategy has proofed to be inadequate and ineffective. He urged the security agencies, particularly the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and intelligence units of the police, army, air force and defence headquarters to put in extra efforts in intelligence gathering to end terrorism in the country. This Day.