The Presidency on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari is leaving the country far better compared to what he met on ground upon his assumption into office in 2015
Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adeshina made this assertion while featuring on Channels TV’s Politics Today saying that Buhari has done his best in tackling insecurity in the country.
According to him, the rate at which people were being killed before Buhari came into power has drastically reduced.
“The figure has been coming down progressively over the years and it’s a fact of history. Nobody can change it,” he said.
Citing the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, Adesina was of the opinion that the security situation of the country has improved adding that President Buhari will leave Nigeria “far better”
“In 2015, we knew where Nigeria was. A minimum of 17 LGAs in this country was under the control of insurgents,” he said.
“Talking about control, I mean they were sitting in emirs’ palaces and seats of LGA chairmen. NYSC could not do orientation and post people to those places. Is that what is happening today? No!
“The emirs are back in their palaces. The local government chairmen are back in their offices. NYSC orientations are happening in those states and corps members are being posted to those states.
“Are you now telling me there have been no improvements? No, let’s be factual,” he added
Speaking further, he said the appointment of service chiefs is not subject to ethnic balancing and the federal character principle, adding that the President has the prerogative to choose those he feels can secure the country.
Adesina said security should not be subjected to politics but competence.
“In fact, the constitution that prescribes federal character even gives the President some prerogatives that he can appoint on his own. Security is something you don’t subject to politics. Security is you bring your best foot forward,” he said
“Security is something you do based on the best. The best and the brightest because all you want is for your country to be secured. The President usually said unless you have secured the country or even an organisation, you cannot efficiently manage it.
“So, you get the best that can help you secure the country. People who begin to subject the headship of security agencies to where it comes from don’t know what they are talking about.”
Asked whether only the northern region has the best hands to secure the country, he said the President has the prerogative to choose those he feels can secure the country.
“Look at the echelon of security agencies still 2015, would you honestly say they have all been from one part of the country? Who was the Chief of Naval Staff in the first term of this administration? Was it not a man from Cross River State? Who was the Inspector General of Police at that time? Was it not a man from Edo State? Solomon Arase.
“What the constitution requires of him is balancing in terms of each state being represented, in terms of certain positions. Most of those positions are prescribed, security is not part of it.
“A President will always have the prerogative to appoint those he feel will help him secure the country and have the kind of country he desires to have,” he said