Rita Odafe
Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a notable politician and former presidential aspirant, has raised serious concerns regarding the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria. He warns that a coalition of internationally connected terrorist organizations is attempting to create a parallel state within the nation.
Olawepo-Hashim urged Nigerians, regardless of their faith, political affiliation, or ethnicity, to come together to prevent the country from potential disintegration. He criticized the federal government for its ongoing reluctance to implement suggested reforms, like the establishment of state and local police. He implied that such delays could indicate either severe negligence or intentional complicity.
His remarks follow the tragic slaughter of over 200 civilians in Yelwata, located in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, which he identified as indicative of a highly adaptive insurgency gaining ground in northern Nigeria.
In a press release shared with Vanguard in Ilorin, Olawepo-Hashim stated, “The recent killings in Benue serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the utter failure of security measures in Northern Nigeria. This is not random violence; instead, it reflects a coordinated efforts by a deadly alliance of terrorist groups aiming to carve out a state within Nigeria.
”The current wave of violence extends beyond just Benue or the northeast; it is increasingly affecting broader areas of the northwest, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, and parts of Katsina, where communities are enduring immense suffering—loss of life, livelihoods, and honor.
He also highlighted the insurgency’s alarming expansion into the North Central and Southern regions, noting recent incidents in Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, and Kogi States.
He remarked, “Since 2014, while the APC has managed to devise strategies for electoral victories, they have either failed to discover or are unwilling to address the issues of insecurity and poverty,” raising the possibility that some within the ruling party might be secretly aligned with terrorist factions.
Hashim further lamented Nigeria’s legacy as a peacekeeping nation, which had previously played crucial roles in resolving civil conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone and contributing to peace initiatives in Congo and Sudan. He expressed disappointment that the country now seems powerless to manage its own internal challenges.
“Nigeria is not as feeble as those currently in power portray it to be. We were once a beacon of military diplomacy in Africa. The pressing question now is whether our leaders possess the commitment and patriotism to rescue our nation,” he asserted.
“This is a pivotal moment for our nation. We must take decisive action now or forfeit the republic to a violent, extremist threat,” he concluded with a heartfelt prayer for the country’s salvation, “May God rescue and bless Nigeria.”
