- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian afrobeats singer, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz the Bahdguy, has called for a nationwide bombardment of Nigerian lawmakers’ contact with mass calls, text messages, and mails over the spate of insecurity across the country.
He charged every citizen to call and send text messages and mail to their Senators and Representatives at the Green Chamber in demand for reasons behind the unresolved insecurity challenge.
Falz made the call in a post on his official X handle on Monday.
Reacting to the announced release of all 38 worshippers kidnapped in a church in Kwara state as well as the rescue of over 50 out of scores of students kidnapped in Niger and Kebbi states, Falz questioned why there was no report of arrests or payment of ransom in all the development.
The lawyer turned musician called for a public hearing over the incidents and other cases of insecurity across the country.
Beyond online campaign, Falz held that the demand can be achieved by pressuring the lawmakers through to the mass calling and texting of their contacts.
He however suggested uniformity in the message in order to drive home the point and demand of the masses.
“There was no mention of any arrest being made, no mention of whether any ransom was paid, no mention of anyone being apprehended and brought to book.
“It is not just enough. And I’m tired of one tweet here, one hashtag there, one post there and complaining on social media.
“We need to do a lot more. Some people have contacted me about peaceful protest. That is also a great avenue.
“However, this is what I think we can do as a matter of urgency, every citizen is to call, text, WhatsApp, e-mail, whatever it is. Bombard your Reps and Senators with messages.
“However, for this to be effective, I think we all need to be saying the same thing. If there is one message they are consistently getting, they will have no choice but to listen.
“We need to call for a public hearing, for broadcast on live TV, livestreaming for anybody anywhere in the world to watch.” He said.
The singer suggested possible questions to ask the lawmakers, ranging from the inadequate equipment for the military personnel to their constant ambush and killing by terrorists despite heavy funds budgeted and released for acquisition of arms and ammunition annually.
“So many billions budgeted and released for acquisition of arms and ammunition.
“But what’s happening? Why is the military still ill-equipped? Why are military convoys still being ambushed by these criminals?
“Why was an Army General murdered on video?” He asked.
Falz however suggested a uniform message which he wrote on the caption to the post.
He also attached a link to the contact of all the lawmakers.
“I’ve put a template of a message that you can send to your reps, to your Senators in the caption.
“I’ve also put a link to where you can find contacts, numbers, e-mail addresses, whatever it is for the reps. It’s on the National Assembly website.
“You can just check for yourself. I think we need to get to sending these messages immediately. This is a national emergency that can’t continue like this.” He said with the suggested uniform message reading; “Dear Hon/Sen, as your constituent, I am urging you to call for a PUBLIC hearing to address the strategy to defeat terrorism, rumours of an ill-equipped military and how Nigerians will be kept safe. Please act urgently”