Governors are mere glorified Chief Security Officers of states ―Aliyu Babangida

CHAIRMAN, Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation and former governor of Niger State, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu has described Nigerian governors as “mere glorified Chief Security Officers of their states.”

Aliyu stated this on Thursday when he led some members of Board of Trustees of the foundation on a sympathy visit to Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom to commiserate with him and the people of the state over the new year attacks.

He noted that experiences he garnered While in the helm of affairs of his state have shown that state Governors do not have powers to resolve security issue, hence all the heads of security formations at various states resort to directives and orders from their superior in Abuja.

Aliyu stated that state governors do not have control over security apparatus, a development he said has made it impossible for governors to quickly resolve security challenges in their domain.

“Governors lack control over security apparatus in their domain who are answerable to Federal authorities,  l remember when l was governor, l established a cordial relationship with the security agencies in payment of their allowances as well as the purchase of vehicles.

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On the security situation in the State, Aliyu stressed the need for honesty and objectivity in recognising the pains and suffering the Benue people are going through, adding that the perpetrators must be arrested.

“Our coming here is to identify with Ortom and inform him that there are other people who are very objectives, passionate and understand what is happening in Benue and Nigeria as a whole, therefore, there is a need for unity not only in the country but in the North. Whatever will affect the unity of North should be nipped in the bud.

“Intelligence gathering should lie with the common people. Traditional rulers should be empowered to do more intelligence job to help the governors,” Babangida stated.

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In his remark, the Chairman Advisory Council of the Foundation, Justice Mamam Nasir lamented that the insecurity in Benue is created by some unknown Forces not from the North, assuring that they would do their best for the restoration of peace and unity in the State and North.

In response, Governor Samuel Ortom lauded the contribution of late Sir Ahmadu Bello in ensuring peace and unity of the North and country.

He urged the Foundation to evoke the spirit of the late Sarduna of Sokoto and first prime minister of Northern Nigeria in the restoration of peace and unity in our communities.

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“As am talking to you, more than 160,000 IDPs are in 8 camps in the state. Majority of the people are predominantly children and the atmospheres are notified conducive for the children. We are hopefully looking forward that the exercise Ayem Akpatuma will make these displaced people go back to their houses.

Tor Sankara 1, Chief Abuking Shuluwa said Fulanis have refused to abide by the legacy of oneness; living together that Amedu Bello left behind.

He said Benue people believe in the Amedu Bello Memorial Foundation and quietness of their leaders over what is happening in Benue is dangerous, saying Benue has never been conquered by anyone and Fulanis can never conquer Benue and added if the northern do not want their friendship, they will look for another friendship beyond the north.

Other Benue leaders who  spoke include, Bernard Hon, SAN, former commissioner in the state, Mrs Akpedzan, leaders of social-cultural group in the state, Chief Edward Ujege and Ode Enyi and others lampooned northern leaders, emirs and federal government for what they described as conspiracy against Benue people despite  the sacrifice their fathers had made in uniting the country, particularly, northern Nigeria.