Olawepo-Hashim tasks stakeholders on security

Canvasses state police, resource control

Presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called on political leaders and other stakeholders to unite and save Nigeria from imminent collapse.

In a statement yesterday, Olawepo-Hashim said more than ever, now is the time for political leaders in the country, irrespective of their ideology, to put heads together and agree on a workable agenda to curb insecurity.

Reiterating his belief in a united Nigeria, Olawepo-Hashim said: “It is unfortunate many still carry on as if it is business-as-usual, while it is not. Nigeria is on fire and we must put it out immediately. Nigeria’s political leaders across political lines, in and out of government, must urgently arrive at a consensus to secure the country and return it to a path of peace and unity, to give hope to the citizens, who desperately need to be assured that their fatherland can still work for them.

“The challenges confronting Nigeria are larger than any particular party in government or in opposition, they are bigger than any group’s interest or ambition, they require the goodwill of all patriots to resolve, and our best collective wisdom as a people.”

The former presidential flag-bearer of Peoples Trust (PT) in his six-point agenda to tackle insecurity in the country suggested the establishment of Defence Co-operation Agreement (DCA) with a friendly nation to halt the enemies’ advance.

“Those fighting Nigeria are from all over the world; the enemy is multi-national in its composition. We must put our house in order by resolving internal wrangling through dialogue, fairness and justice,” he added.

He also canvassed a broad-based cabinet that could inspire hope, efficiency and national unity, and the need to immediately create states and local police.

Olawepo-Hashim also made case for the 36 states to have concurrent jurisdiction over mineral resources within their domain and pay taxes to the federal purse, just as he said Nigeria must decentralise electricity generation, transmission via local grid and distribution, which he said should be on the concurrent list.

He said, “Time is running out for orderly resolution of the issues, giving that leadership on a road-map for peace and security at this critical time is the least we owe our people who have suffered too much deprivation. Every leader, he stressed, must get up to be counted.”