Founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Chief Boniface Aniebonam, has called on Nigerians to stop the ongoing blame game over insecurity and instead unite with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to confront crime and violence threatening the nation.
Aniebonam, who is also the founder and pioneer president of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), stressed that security should not be seen as the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government, insisting that every citizen has a role to play in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
He made the remarks while receiving executive members of the Crime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (CRAN) during a courtesy visit to his office in the Apapa area of Lagos.
According to him, the fight against insecurity, ranging from kidnapping and banditry to violent crime requires collective action, cooperation with security agencies, and responsible citizenship.
“Security is a general responsibility. Nigerians must support the government and security agencies in every lawful way possible. This is not the time to apportion blame,” Aniebonam said.
He expressed optimism that despite the prevailing challenges, Nigeria will overcome its security crisis, noting that those outside government often underestimate the depth of inherited problems.
“People who have not been involved in administration do not always understand the enormity of challenges. When you come in and open the cupboard, you see the real scale of the problems,” he added.
Aniebonam also examined the root causes of criminality, questioning the mindset that drives individuals to engage in violent crimes for insignificant gains. He identified drug abuse and addiction as major factors fueling insecurity, describing them as “self-inflicted paths” that complicate law enforcement efforts.
Defending President Tinubu, he noted that entrenched interests and long-standing systemic failures often frustrate policy implementation, citing the power sector as a classic example of inherited challenges that have stalled successive administrations.
“The President may have his faults, but he is dealing with deep-seated issues. Nigerians need patience and unity to overcome these avoidable travails,” Aniebonam stated.
He further commended President Tinubu for allowing due process to prevail in the terrorism-related case involving Nnamdi Kanu, noting that the President refrained from interference while legal proceedings were ongoing.
“Now that the legal matters are concluded, the President has the constitutional power to invoke the prerogative of mercy if it will bring peace to the country,” he said.
Aniebonam also advocated dialogue and stakeholder engagement, asking why the government could not engage key actors, including Kanu, to better understand and address the underlying issues fueling unrest.
He concluded by expressing confidence in the judiciary to fairly resolve the ongoing legal disputes arising from the internal crisis within the NNPP.