The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has disagreed with the Presidency that the opposition as well as Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, are to be blamed for the United States of America’s delay in delivering 12 Super Tucano jet fighters for the Nigerian Air Force to fight insecurity across the country.
The Presidency had blamed Kukah and opponents of government for the perception of the US government of poor Christianity and Islam relations in Nigeria, which had led to delays in the supply of fighter jets to the country.
But speaking in AIT Kakaaki Programme monitored in Abuja on Monday, NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, faulted the Presidency over the way it responds to criticisms.
He advised the presidency to reassess the way it wages the war against insurgency and terrorism so as to avoid what gave rise to delay in weapons procurement from Western countries.
He maintained that rather than blame Kukah or the northern elders group, the administration should ensure that the military operations satisfy the basic standards demanded by the weapon suppliers.
The NEF also reiterated the forum’s earlier call for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign if unable to resolve the nation’s security problems.
Reacting to a question on the issue, Baba-Ahmed maintained that Nigeria has a problem procuring weapons because of the conduct of the armed forces and related agencies on human rights issues, dealing with prisoners of war and people caught up in conflicts.
