2023 consultation: Eliminate bandits, terrorists —Tinubu tells Buhari

…Extends consultation to North-West

…Says Nigeria would surmount challenges

…Assures of victory in presidential election

By Moses Adeniyi

All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader, and 2023 Presidential Aspirant,  Bola Tinubu, has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to eliminate perpetrators of killings, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of insecurity threats in the Country, expressing confidence that Nigeria would surmount the challenges of insecurity.

Tinubu who made the call on Sunday in Katsina, President Buhari’s home state, when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State over the recent assassination of a member of his cabinet, the State’s Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Rabe Nasir, said an attack on any part of the Country is an attack on all.

Mentioning that the Country is larger and greater than the perpetrators of the heinous acts of terrorism and kidnapping, he called for “vigilance,” “preaching of peace,” and the use of force against those hell bent on perpetrating evil in the Country.

“It is also a very trying period for Katsina State, as it is going through a lot of security challenges. Please, whatever happens to one of us, happens to all of us.

“Let us be vigilant to help our Country; let us preach peace and a change of mind to those who are determined to bring terrorism, kidnapping and evil doings to our midst.

“I urge the Federal Government, under the able leadership of President Muhammad Buhari as the Commander Chief of the Armed Forces, to use all necessary means to eliminate these people.

“We share and we will continue to pray with the Katsina Government and also the people of the state to conquer the evil of kidnappings and the killing of innocent people,” Tinubu.

Trailing the narratives of the security challenges in the State, Masari noted that the current mayhem in the State started with cattle rustling, which he described as “community banditry.”

Masari said the bandits lived within the community and are not invading from the forest.

He, however, said that with time, the forest became a place where the criminals, such as kidnappers, hid their victims until ransom is paid for them.

“What we have discovered is that the majority of what is going on now is community banditry. So, we have community issues which we have to resolve before going forward,” the Governor said.

Meanwhile, Tinubu who has been extending his engagement in what he has described as a need for “wide consultation,” for the 2023 presidency seat, also paid visit to Kano, another North-West State, under heavy reception.

…I will overcome in 2023

Following the disclosure of his ambition, Tinubu, has expressed confidence of taking over from President Buhari at the end of his tenure in 2023.

In his visit to the former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja over the weekend, Tinubu said with the masses, and support of “critical stakeholders,” he would win, noting that though there would be challenges, yet he is confident that he would emerge victorious.

He said, “Life is a challenge and you must be ready to confront challenges and overcome. I have the confidence that I will overcome any form of challenge. I am sure I would face challenges and I have the confidence that I will overcome them.

“The reactions of critical stakeholders to my presidential ambition have been very positive, encouraging and overwhelming and these have spurred me on with the strong conviction that we would succeed and emerge victorious after the election.

“Life itself is a challenge and I have the confidence and capacity to wade through challenges and overcome. We are forging ahead and with the strong support of the masses of Nigeria, we are going to achieve resounding victory.”

Tibunu’s declaration of interest to aspire for the 2023 presidency, since he made his intention known to President  Buhari last Monday, has washed Nigeria’s political space with new dynamics.

Following the disclosure of his ambition, a number of aspirants have begun to declare their intentions within the APC and under the major opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party.