“I am constrained to make this an open letter to you for a number of reasons. One, the current situation and consequent possible outcome dictate that I should, before the door closes on reason and promotion of national interest, alert you to the danger that may be lurking in the
corner.
“Two, none of the four or more letters that I have written to you in the past two years or so has elicited an acknowledgment or any response. Three, people close to you, if
not yourself, have been asking, what does Obasanjo want? Four, I could sense a semblance between the situation that we are gradually getting into and the situation we fell into as a nation during the Abacha era. Five, everything must be done to guard, protect and defend our fledgling democracy, nourish it and prevent bloodshed. Six, we must move away from advertently or inadvertently dividing the country along weak seams of North-South and Christian Moslem.
“Seven, nothing should be done to allow the country to degenerate into economic dormancy, stagnation or retrogression. Eight, some of our international friends and
development partners are genuinely worried about signs and signals that are coming out of Nigeria. Nine, Nigeria should be in a position to take advantage of the present favorable international interest to invest in Africa – an opportunity that will not be open for too long.
“Ten, I am concerned about your legacy and your climb-down which you alone can best be the manager of, whenever you so decide,” these were the words of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, in a letter to former president Goodluck Jonathan.
This letter, dated December 2, 2013, was leaked to the media on December 11, 2013.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Straight to business. There is no room for any introduction, as I do not expect you to be doing fine when there is fire on the mountain.
A hungry man is an angry man. What happens when hunger and anger collide? We all witnessed when a calm friend (protest) transformed into a raging monster (looting and destruction). EndSars saga.
Firstly, prevention is key! You must prevent a similar situation.
From the above points outlined by President Obasanjo, it is obvious that the current enormous institutional, economic, and domestic challenges have been there for a long time, and you, as an opposition leader then, knew about these challenges.
You also witnessed the killings and economic hardships of your friend and former military and democratically elected leader, Muhammadu Buhari.
I don’t want to bother you with the list of ongoing challenges in the country, but rather crave your indulgence to wake you and your team from sleeping before the situation that we are gradually getting into consumes everyone, including you.
You went around the country to campaign and promised to address most of these issues, and it has been over eight months now.
Nigerians are dying over growing insecurity and the pangs of the high cost of living as a result of the cost of foodstuffs in the country. People are lamenting that the soaring prices of food items in the markets across the nation have made the burden of providing for their families unbearable, and it appears things are not getting any better.
However, I would like to ask you two pertinent questions.
1. Where is your security plan?
This should introduce new ideas such as massive technology, including food security, pandemic response efforts, combating disinformation, countering corruption, and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
2. Where is your economic blueprint?
Nigeria is not Lagos, the most populous city in Nigeria, with an estimated population of over 21 million, where you have strategically managed since 1999.
Nigeria is a multinational state inhabited by more than 250 ethnic groups speaking 500 distinct languages, all identifying with a wide variety of cultures. It is high time you start talking, or rather engage those Nigerians whose concerns for and commitments to the good of Nigeria have been known to be strong.
You need help. Nigeria needs help.
The number of avoidable deaths in the country is nothing to write home about. Going out and coming back home every day in our country is now a blessing.
When a body of independent policy analysts under the aegis of the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) rated your performance in office in the last eight months high, many thought they were crazy, despite the prevailing situation in the country.
“From our review of President Tinubu’s policies in the last eight months, we can objectively submit that the administration has performed creditably well despite the enormous institutional and economic headwinds and domestic challenges it has had to contend with.
“From the conceptualization and deployment of policies across multifarious sectors by the federal government, we are convinced that President Tinubu is putting in place new building blocks to serve as the bedrock of a new model for national economic growth and socio-political development.” The national chairman of the group, Chief Niyi Akinsiju, told newsmen in Abuja. recently.
Mr. President, sir! Nigerians are in pain. I mean serious pain. It is about time for substantive actionable measures, as you need to feel the agonizing thoughts, concerns, and expressions of the citizens on most of the issues that are in the public domain, concerning the situation and future of our country.
Technology is transforming police work in the 21st century—introducing new tools to fight crime and new categories of crime to fight is the way to go. With the rapid pace of technological developments, security agencies globally are finding new and innovative ways to leverage these tools to enhance public safety, catch criminals, and save lives.
It is high time you enlisted the services of experienced experts in the areas of digital forensic software, information sharing technology, virtual reality training, facial recognition software, biometrics, voice technology, and mastering the use and implications of police technology, amongst others.
Lastly, it’s crucial to recognize the signs. Mr. President, you must, as a matter of urgency, fight crime with technology because it is booming in practically every industry, and law enforcement is no exception. You must secure lives and properties.
Wake Up!
Bosun Awoniyi writes from Lagos.
