February 16, 2025
Vunoklang, Hayin Gada, Off Mubi Road, jimeta - Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
News Security

Professor of Peace and Security Studies warns Federal Government on danger of protests.

By

Shekara Anthony

 

 

A Professor of Peace and security studies in Adamawa state has cautioned Federal Government on the current economic hardship Nigerians are going through.

 

Professor Jude Momodu, of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University, Yola in an interview with Radio Nigeria, Fombina News, said there are security implications of high cost of living Nigerians are currently experiencing that government at all levels must not ignore.

 

Professor Jude Momodu, who is the Director, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, recalled that already a number of protests have been recorded in some states of the federation where some Nigerians have taken to the streets to protest rising costs of goods and services that has consequently led to general high costs of living, thereby making life unbearable for most Nigerians.

 

The security expert warned that the Federal Government should not ignore or keep silent on this development because there could be security implications that may lead to the break-down of law and order if not properly handled, citing instance with the French Revolution of 1877, which according to him was sparked by hunger, pointing out that similar situations in Nigeria in the past had led to break down of law and order and even military coups in the sixties.

 

“Once you have large scale protest across Nigeria it will be something that will be beyond the capacity of security agencies to be able to deal with because they too also have families who are suffering. Point being made is that if care is not taken, we might also be witnessing what the military is saying they don’t want it to happen in Nigeria. The Chief of Defence Staff, has warned those who are calling for coup to desist from it, because we don’t know the plans of some persons also, the moment the country becomes ungovernable, some persons will have to step in, like we witnessed in 1966, there was breakdown of law and order in the South West, occasioned by western election of 1964 and also that of the Federal Government in 1965, which led to a lot of electoral violence leading to a military coup”.

 

Professor Momodu, who acknowledged efforts already made by the Federal and State governments to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, however advised them to think outside the box and come up with measures and strategies that will permanently address the economic hardship Nigerians are currently going through.

 

He explained that some of these measures and strategies could include the setting up of a price control board, to ensure all prices of goods and services are fixed, set up a task force to enforce compliance of the price control, roll out more palliatives and provide subsidies in the areas of transportation, education, health care delivery and the setting up of a crisis communication committee to be led by the National Orientation Agency, to ensure that government policies and programmes are properly communicated to Nigerians.

 

Professor Jude Momodu, however, dismissed claims in some quarters that the only solution to the present economic hardship in the country is to reverse the fuel subsidy removal, pointing out that he supports the removal of fuel subsidy because according to him the fuel subsidy regime only benefitted a few individuals against the collective interest of all Nigerians.

 

The Professor of Peace and Security studies, reminded the Federal Government of its promise to fix the Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries, adding that the commencement of crude oil refining by Dangote Refinery is heartwarming, but quickly made it clear that the Dangote Refinery is yet to make any positive impact on fuel price and availability of the product.

 

“The fuel subsidy regime was only enjoyed by a cartel. Federal Government has told us that they have renovated the refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt, but have they started operation? These are some of the things that government should tell Nigerians. They equally told Nigerians that they have completed the turn-around maintenance of the refineries, but we are yet to know whether they have started operation, if they have started operation, how many litres of crude oil are they refining per day”.

 

He also cautioned Nigerians against taking the law into their hands because of the present economic hardship, adding that it’s just a phase that will soon pass away, and Nigerians should not allow themselves to be used by anyone to cause chaos, especially by some self- serving individuals who have hidden agenda and do not mean well for the country.

 

 

 

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