The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has said that over 90 per cent of security challenges the country is facing is largely political and requires political will to solve them.
The Governor acknowledged that President Muhammadu Buhari inherited a drifting political and economic situation when he assumed office and needs support of Nigerians to tackle the challenges.
Governor Bello said this while receiving members of Hunters Council of Nigeria who recognised him with an award on his efforts in securing Kogi State.
“President Muhammadu Buhari inherited a country that was drifting security wise, economic wise and otherwise, Mr President inherited a country where bombs are being detonated everyday in the North-East even in Abuja.
“Mr President inherited a security system that was already decaying, ill motivated, ill equipped and not well trained. Mr President have reviewed the welfare parkage of all the security forces in this country severally.
“I make bold to say that more than you can 90 per cent, of the insecurity we are witnessing today in our country is largely political, be it Boko Haram, banditry and farmers/herders clash, and even assassination sometimes, kidnapping”, the Governor said.
He said as a governor, he faced some of these political insecurity but with political will, he was able to tackle the political insecurity.
“Let us appreciate the enormity of the challenges Mr President is facing, I equally faced some of these challenges when I assumed office, the difference is that I have the political will to deal with political insecurity, I dealt with it headlong.
“When we take care of the political insecurity, the remaining 10 per cent takes care of itself”, Governor Bello said.
He therefore, said that all the calls for him to run for President in 2023 is not out of place because he had brought back peace to Kogi State through his political will to tackle insecurity.
“All these call for me to run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not out of place. I have we are to execute the laws and ensure that the citizens are secured and safe.
“Kogi State rate of insecurity has dropped drastically, we have been able to unite and put the people together, the issue of division along political line, ong religious line and other sentiments have been put aside in Kogi state.
“By the grace of God, I will not disappoint you, in no distant time from now, we are going to answer your call loudly, in the main time continue to maintain law and order, peace and harmony across the 774 local governments.
“Our security forces are not weak, they just need a political touch, they need that person ghat will tale firm decision to deal with criminals and by the grace of God, when we come on board we will do the needful”, he added.
The governor also called on the National Assembly to pass the Hunters Council of Nigeria Bill which is currently on the third reading in the Senate.
Earlier in his address, the Commander General of Hunters Council of Nigeria, Osatimehin Joshua, said the aim of their visit was to support the Governor in his quest to contest for President in 2023.
“We are here to see you for one reason. We are ready to join you in your quest to become the president of Nigeria in 2020”, he noted.