2019 elections: Muslim media group raises security alarm

THE Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWGN) has expressed worry over what it called reported cases of seized arms and ammunition in the country in recent times, especially with the approach of the 2019 general election.

MMWGN, a non-governmental organisation committed to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, said it was concerned that the illegal arms intercepted through the seaports, airports and roads were being kept as exhibits with nothing known to the public about the prosecution of the culprits.

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“Dangers, therefore, lie ahead (God forbid) where weapons are seized by security agencies such as Customs, Immigration, the army, navy, the police, civil defence, etc, and the seizure carried in media reports without early and diligent prosecution taking place. These lapses show lack of true commitment to national security.

“As we prepare for the general election in February 2019, this group is worried by reported cases of stockpiling of arms, cashing in on dearth of sufficient manpower in all our security systems.

“We are, therefore, raising the alarm regarding possible violence in several communities during elections through the use of illicit arms that have infiltrated the nation and lack of punishment for those already caught in arms smuggling.

“While commending the Nigerian Customs, the Immigration, the police, the NSCDC and other security stakeholders for detecting and arrest of  offenders, non-prosecution of arrested offenders creates fear in the minds of the people.

“We call for immediate necessary action on this matter so as to avoid carnage before, during and after the elections,” the organisation said.

It added that the success of the forthcoming elections should be viewed from the numerical strength of the security stakeholders and equipment given to them to fight crimes.

“We are seriously concerned over lack of sufficient trained and equipped personnel in all categories of these security agencies. Police manpower remains in the neighbourhood of 360,000; the army, about 200,000 and NSCDC with a lower number of personnel. With 80 million voters registered by INEC going to the polls, how truly ready are we for February 2019 elections?

“We are saying, it is getting too late for our security agencies to recruit, train and place the sufficient number of security officials needed to police the election successfully. MMWG calls on the Federal Government to reflect on this matter and do the needful urgently,” MMWG stated.

Meanwhile, the organisation has described the confusion trailing the resolution of a tripartite committee of the Federal Government and the labour movement working on a new minimum wage for workers as unfortunate and disheartening.

It said Nigerians, especially the public service workers, were in a dilemma on whom to believe between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Government and what action is next.

The organisation, however, expressed the hope that the chairman of the tripartite committee working on the matter, a former Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Ama Pepple, could be able to throw light on the matter.

On the issue of some state governors claiming that they do not have the capacity to pay, MMWG blamed the development on what it called the failure of such governors to prioritise their expenditure.

“They claim huge security vote in millions monthly, embark on white elephant projects that are not seriously relevant to the masses and engage in inflation of contacts.

“Therefore, if such situation continues, they would never have the capacity to pay their suffering workers and retirees.

“The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria therefore, calls for legislation that would criminalise non-payment of workers’ salaries, pension and gratuities of retirees in order to solve the problem of poverty created by some serving governors in their states.

“The minimum wage review was due two years ago, according to what is in our laws. For any segment of employers to deny workers and retirees their personal emoluments due to their selfish interests is to call for the wrath of God.

“The Federal Government should not allow the governors to deceive them any longer, as evidence abound that three tranches of Paris Club refunds and bailout provided by the Muhammadu Buhari administration were diverted by most of them instead of paying their workers and retirees.

“President Buhari should know that unresolved new national minimum wage issue could be his own burden if not tackled urgently.

“Also, whatever the percentage of increase granted to public servants in the new minimum wage should be the quantum to be given to retirees as pension increase as they are senior citizens who laid the foundation which the civil service of today is building upon,” MMWGN added.