Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said he will not tolerate buck-passing in matters of security, if voted in as Nigeria’s president, but will ensure that governors secure their states.
While noting that the president could not be in every state of the federation ensuring security of life and property, he said states would be empowered to rise to the challenge.
While fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, yesterday, Bello promised not to play politics with the security challenges in the country.
He said: “I refuse to politicise insecurity. Buhari is a man, who loves truth and reality. I will let you know that the president loves this country. This insecurity is not a thing of the president, though we should not pass buck because that is why we came on board. It is a failure of successive administrations.
“Let me remind us, once again, that certain military and police hardware were non-existent or were last purchased in the administration of former President Shehu Shagari. After the bomb blast in Ikeja cantonment, did Nigerians ask whether the arms and ammunition that detonated and killed people were ever replaced since then?”
According to Bello, after the various decays, the foundation was shaky and the president spent a lot of money to buy equipment. He added that the president would not sit in Aso Villa and carry arms to secure schools and roads.
“Some of these crimes that we see today are more than what we see on the surface. I will never come out here and point out flaws. Whatever lapses I observe, it is for me to let the President know,” he said.
Bello pledged: “If I become the president, I will make every chief executive of the various federating units to sit up and do their jobs. I will not tolerate any lackadaisical attitude or passing of buck to the centre. I will ensure that various federating units are strengthened.