2023: Despite security challenges, election will hold –Hon Adeogun, Vice Chair, House Committee on National Security

Member, House of Representatives, Hon Adejoro Adeogun from Ondo State is the Vice Chairman, House Committee on National Security. Adeogun, who represents Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency of his state at the lower legislative chamber in Abuja took a critical look at the security situation in the country and assured Nigerians that next year’s general elections must hold. The youthful federal legislator spoke with some of media men. Razaq Bamidele was there.

When the United States and the United Kingdom recently raised an alarm on the security situation in Nigeria, how did you feel and how would you react to such a worrisome development?

The so-called security alert was a travel advisory published by the embassies on their respective websites to advise their citizens on prevailing security situations. Travel advisories are normal. Remember that the Nigeria travel portal gained importance during the outbreak of COVID 19 because it became a source of information for international travelers. So, the advisories weren’t an issue but its interpretation by Nigerians; the ensuing panic and other unintended consequences. Like other Nigerians, I saw a picture purportedly taken at an airport to show some foreign nationals being evacuated from Abuja; I don’t know how true that is. If it is true then it is unnecessary.

  Can you confirm the authenticity of claims of invasion of an estate in Abuja by American soldiers, leading to arrest of bandits and other criminals?

What I read in several publications was that some expatriates were seen alongside operatives of the Department of Security Service (DSS) during an operation at an estate in Lugbe. If it’s true that expatriates were seen, they could be trainers or advisers, providing technical support. Any insinuation that American soldiers invaded an estate in Abuja in the absence of local security operatives should be seen as fake news. Nigeria is not under the siege of any friendly or unfriendly foreign army of occupation.

Don’t you think such an alleged invasion of the country by foreign soldiers could have an implication on the sovereignty of Nigeria as a nation?

I have said categorically that what you are saying is at variance with popular reports. We must be careful not to misinterpret situations in which expatriates provide training and technical support for Nigeria’s security personnel, as part of equipment procurement agreements. We bought aircraft and other hardware from the US and receive support from the US for the training, technical support and initial operation of the hardware. We have a similar situation with NIMASA’s investment in hardware to safeguard our maritime boundaries. So, if expatriates are seen in such situations, it should be understood that they are helping to build the capacity of our personnel.

Okay, are you then comfortable with the Federal Government’s response to the issue?

Oh yes. I am satisfied with the prompt and professional response of our counter-terrorism agencies to the terrorist threats. I am satisfied with the improvement in synergy among agencies to arrest suspects and the steps taken to harden terrorist targets within the city of Abuja

In the current situation on ground, how is your committee advising the government?

The committee is constantly engaging with the intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies, helping them to build synergy, giving feedback and providing support to ensure that they continue to give Nigerians much desired security cover

What do you think could be done urgently to calm down the residents of FCT and Nigerians in general, who are panicking as a result of the alert?

What is immediately needed is to reassure Nigerians resident in Abuja that the panic created from the widespread misunderstanding of the travel advisories was needless. There was definitely no need for the level of panic, emanating from the actions of a few embassies. Truth is there was a threat, but it was promptly neutralised and the security agencies are working harder to ensure that a security cordon is provided around the FCT. If the counter-terrorism agencies could make more information available to the public about the major breakthrough they have achieved over the last two weeks, the confidence of our people in the capability of the security agencies to safeguard the city would be restored. At this stage, the government needs the help of the press to disseminate the right information to residents of the city to restore confidence and normalcy.

What is your advice for the politicians and the electorate alike, as the electioneering is about reaching feverish crescendo, having in mind the precarious security situation at hand with a view to avoiding aggravation of the already volatile situation?

At times like this, it is the primary responsibility of every citizen to contribute to national security. My advice to politicians is to be security conscious and avoid providing soft targets for terrorists. Political parties may need to try out new campaign strategies that do not entail large gatherings.

Do you subscribe to the fears in some quarters that the security challenges in the country could prevent the 2023 general election from holding?

I do not share in such pessimism. The situation today is not half as volatile as we had in 2015 when the entire North-east was under the siege of Boko Haram. I am not denying that we face some measure of insecurity, especially from ransom takers and terrorism, but the threats are not enough to stop Nigeria from holding a general election in 2023

You sponsored the Bill to amend the VAPP Act, What informed your decision for that?

It is the desire to improve and strengthen the Act to protect vulnerable Nigerians from harmful cultural practices. Widows in Nigeria are vulnerable and we need to strengthen our laws to safeguard their rights to dignity, property, inheritance and custody of their children.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has concluded arrangements to give the Nigeria’s currency, the Naira, a new face. Are you on the same page with the CBN on the idea?

The redesign of the Naira is not a bad idea if well handled. My concern is the seeming absence of synergy between the CBN and the Ministry of Finance. It is sad that the two managers of our fiscal and monetary policies have through their ego contest displayed their misunderstanding of the prevailing economic challenges facing Nigeria