Forum of State Chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, advised that Security Chiefs be held accountable for breaches in their area of coverage, as part of efforts to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.
The party chiefs, led by the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje gave the advice during a solidarity visit to President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa.
Speaking to journalists at the APC headquarters on the outcome of the meeting, Secretary of the Forum and APC Cross Rivers Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar, said the forum is of the opinion that security chiefs in areas of insecurity should be held responsible for failures.
According to them, though the President is the Commander-in -Chief of the Armed Forces, nobody should expect him to be the one that will single-handedly pursue criminals.
Barr. Ogar said, “We made it very clear to Mr President that no reasonable person will expect him as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take up arms and go round the crannies of Nigeria to fight the criminal elements, bandits, kidnappers and the armed robbers. And that is why the constitution of Nigeria has created the security agencies saddled with this responsibility.
“We commended the efforts and contributions of Mr President in terms of moral boosting. Financial support for equipment procurement and all others. The only added advice we brought to him is that people at the forefront should be held accountable.
“We were very firm but with absolute humility in telling Mr President that district police officers, or Divisional Police Officers, Commissioners of Police, SSS, or anybody in the front line of fighting and combating crime that is either lukewarm, taciturn or reticent should please be shown the way out,” he said.
The forum also urged President Tinubu to punish Security chiefs found wanting in their assignment.
“We therefore call on Mr President to wield the big stick on those who are not ready to help him because we have come to the conclusion some persons are out to distract Mr President and some persons are out to put this party in bad light.
“So, that whatever efforts Mr President is making would be beclouded by this nefarious activities of this bandits and vandals. And we think the time has come for Mr President to say enough is enough,” he added.
