Post by Emmanuel Chekwube Mukolu (@PowerHouse86)
In any civilized society, where leadership is guided by responsibility and the sanctity of human life is treated as a sacred obligation, the priority of government at all levels should be the protection of citizens and the preservation of their freedom. At a time when countless Nigerians remain in captivity and entire communities continue to live under the shadow of fear, it is difficult to understand why political campaigns appear to be receiving more attention than the urgent task of rescuing those whose lives hang in the balance.
The truth is simple: when citizens are trapped in the hands of criminals, governance itself is diminished. Elections are important in every democracy, but the security of human lives must always take precedence over political calculations. After all, what is the essence of seeking to govern a people whose safety cannot be guaranteed? As the African proverb reminds us, a man whose house is on fire does not chase rats.
The persistent wave of kidnappings and banditry raises questions that many ordinary Nigerians continue to ask. Are these criminals operating outside the borders of Nigeria? Are their camps not located within Nigerian territory? If they are within our forests, communities, and rural corridors, then the nation must summon the collective will to confront this menace with the urgency it deserves.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is unambiguous on this matter. Section 14(2)(b) provides that "the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government." This is not merely a constitutional declaration; it is a solemn covenant between the state and its citizens. When Nigerians can no longer confidently rely on their government for protection, that covenant is weakened.
I respectfully appeal to His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place the rescue of abducted citizens and the restoration of national security at the very centre of government action. This is not a time for hesitation. It is a time for decisive leadership, strategic collaboration, and unwavering political will. Where assistance is required, it should be sought. Where reforms are necessary, they should be pursued. The safety of Nigerians must remain above every political consideration.
As for the NIGERIAN UNIONOF TEACHERS(NUT), your silence on the prolonged captivity of teachers is troubling. Educators dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our nation. When they are abducted and held for weeks without a forceful and visible response from the body established to represent their interests, legitimate concerns are bound to arise. The teaching profession deserves stronger advocacy and greater protection.
Today, I weep for the teachers. I weep for the children whose education has been disrupted by insecurity. Above all, I weep for Nigeria—a nation blessed with immense potential yet burdened by challenges that demand courage, urgency, and leadership.
The time has come for action. The lives of Nigerians cannot become mere statistics in official reports. Every citizen rescued, every child returned to school, and every teacher reunited with family is a reminder that government exists first and foremost to protect the people.
Remember, anytime we experience security lapses as a country, we indirectly make a mockery of our security architecture. Everything happening around is pointing towards systemic failure.
Emmanuel Chekwube Mukolu
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