Ex-militant leader and mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro has advised President Bola Tinubu to sack current security chiefs he inherited from his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari.
Akpodoro spoke after a meeting with Niger Delta stakeholders in Portharcourt, Rivers State capital, on Wednesday.
He said the President should relieve the Service chiefs of their portfolios, noting the lethargy shown by the President is dangerous and inimical to democracy.
The call, he noted, is necessary because there is need to change the security apparatus of the former President.
He stressed history of governance in Africa showed that such delays in sacking inherited security chiefs could be dangerous.
Akpodoro, founder of Urhobo Youth Forum for Change (UYFC), said the military was part and parcel of the past failure of security, noting there’s no good reason to retain the present leadership.
With ethnic agitation and energy crisis, the mayor said the President should see reasons to overhaul the security system.
The mayor noted those Nigerians who voted for the President desire he leads the country unfettered but are uncomfortable seeing faces of those who back-pedalled the progress and success of the former President in the security front.
‘’A particular one,” the former warlord noted, “was sued in the previous administration and was asked to retire but unfortunately he is staying put enjoying the spoils of office in a manner that depicts irresponsibility at the detriment of younger officers who should be appointed.
“Go around security formations and you will find young officers who are tasty to add their quota to the growth and development of the security system but are impeded by those who have chosen to perpetuate themselves in office. They lack the culture of voluntary retirement. Until they are fired, they won’t exit.
“These are the security apparatus which worked with the former President, why are they lurking around the incumbent lazily for want of perpetuity? We were here in Nigeria shortly after the elections when disgruntled elements protested to military barracks calling them out to sack a constitutional administration and takeover power. In this regard, no amount of subterfuge can make Nigerians believe most officers weren’t in sync with such anti-democratic elements and their call, ‘’ he said.
