KANO State governor, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Sunday, said the Nigerian military was competent to tackle the insurgency problem in the country.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence between 2003 and 2007, stated this during a media chat with journalists in Benin City, Edo State, adding that the army was as competent as he left it in 2007
The governor, who expressed confidence in the military’s ability to deal with the challenge of insecurity in the North-East, however, said the Federal Government must display the political will to tackle the problem.
The governor, who was in Benin to felicitate with Chief Gabriel Igbinedion on his 80th birthday anniversary, said there was no relationship between declaration of Sharia law in part of the North and Boko Haram.
He said Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, must rise to the challenge of the insecurity by fighting the menace, while urging the Federal Government to mobilise all its resources to ensure peace reigned in the North-East.
“Though I am a bit surprised with what is happening now, I still believe that Nigeria has the military might to stop insurgency in the North East.
“Our military still remains competent and regarded as the best on the continent, going by their performances in peacekeeping missions on the continent and beyond.
“The challenge of insecurity in the country today is one that requires the support of everyone, irrespective of political party or tribe.
“Any right thinking Nigerian and friends of Nigeria must condemn what is happening in the North-East today. We need a united and strong Nigeria, where everyone goes about his or her legitimate business without fear,” he said.
Kwankwaso said the relative peace being enjoyed in Kano State was largely due to the investment of his government on education and wealth creation.
The governor disclosed that as part of his investment on education, the state, at present, “sponsors the university education of 3,000 students in various disciplines in 14 countries of the world.”
