SGF laments threats to democracy, good governance as Tofa flays graft, insecurity, poverty

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has identified terrorism, insurgencies and electoral violence as the greatest challenges threatening democracy and good governance in the country.

Mustapha stated this in Abuja at a two-day Summit on Terrorism, Insurgency and Incidence of Electoral Violence in Nigeria.

Represented by Permanent Secretary, Special Services, OSGF, Dr. Amina Shamaki, he explained that these vices have grave consequences on good governance and economic development in the continent, adding that the challenges have not only increased the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa, but has also led to unquantified destruction of infrastructure in the North East.

The SGF lamented that crises emanating from terrorism, insurgency and electoral violence negate the desire of Africa Union (AU) agenda 2063 that expects Africa to be a continent where democratic values, gender equality, justice and rule of law would be institutionalised.

“In line with the vision, the AU also expects that by 2020 all guns would have been silenced during elections when development and progress will thrive in the continent, unfortunately we have continued to witness various forms of electoral malpractices and violence before, during and elections leading to loss of lives, properties and displacement of persons,” he said.

Besides, presidential Candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the annulled June 12 presidential election, Bashir Othman Tofa, yesterday argued that until government tackles poverty and corruption in the country, criminalities threatening the country’s corporate existence may be far from over.

He challenged the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi and other political appointees from Kano to end security threats in the state and other North-West states.

Tofa, who spoke at a stakeholder meeting on critical challenges frustrating peace in Kano lamented the incessant kidnapping, banditry and other heinous criminalities, especially in the North.

Although, he highlighted critical measures governments at all levels were trying to end the rising cases of insecurity, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Kano, insisted that attaining tangible growth and development could remain a mirage if corruption and poverty are not checked.

He added that with the increasing poverty and unemployment in the country, as well as continued embezzlement of public funds would further trigger crimes in the land.

“Security is a major threat in Nigeria and if there is no security there will be no peace and in the absence of peace, there will be no development. So, we need security not just in Kano or in the North, but the entire country,” he said.