By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Muhammed Ali Ndume has commended the military for taking the fight to the bandits in Zamfara and Katsina states
The lawmaker who was fielding questions from journalists, stated that the bandits are no better than common criminals and thieves, thus, need of asking for amnesty for, or entering into dialogue with them does not arise.
He explained that the only language these criminals understand is that of force.
“I am glad the military has taken the fight to them and this must be commended,” he added.
He also charged the media to support the military in the fight against banditry.
” You in the media should appreciate what the military is doing in Zamfara regarding the fight against kidnappers,” he charged.
The lawmaker also disagreed with Sheikh Ahmad Gumi that the government has not exhausted all avenues of dialogue.
“We should dialogue with people who kidnapped people’s wives and rape them? We shouldn’t dialogue with people who kill others,” he argued.
On the burning issue of whether Nigeria should get more loans in order to develop the country, the Senator explained that he is in support of Nigeria borrowing to develop critical infrastructure such as roads, health facilities and others.
He however, added that loans should not be obtained in order to pay salaries as that would amount to waste.
“When you need to develop and there is no money, if there are organisations which are willing to lend to develop and you have the means of repaying these loans, then go ahead and get the loans.
“What should not be accepted is borrowing which is not attached to a particular developmental project or when you borrow without the means of repayment and when you borrow to pay salaries then, it is not good at all,” he submitted.
The lawmaker further added that Nigeria’s borrowing is tied to projects and so there is no need for fears that such loans would be a waste.
The Borno South Senator also defended the All Progressives Congress (APC) from allegations that the party and President Muhammadu Buhari havd failed the country.
Ndume said that the APC has not failed Nigeria, since it has revamped the economy of the country, though, very slowly.
Ndume also said that though the APC has not fulfilled its campaign promises of providing security for the country, revamping the economy and tackling corruption, nonetheless, the President has lived up to his promise of fighting the menace.
“Before the advent of the APC, corruption was very much pronounced in all fabrics of the country even the government was not immuned to corruption.But today, we have reduced the scourge of corruption to an all time low.
“Nobody is stealing openly anymore. Similarly, no one can claim that the President is corrupt nor pampers corruption. Also, the President has not been linked to any corruption scandal.
The lawmaker also welcomed the former Minister of Aviation under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Femi Fani-Kayode into the fold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ndume explained that Kayode was a founding member of the APC but was angered and so he left the party.
“Now that he is back, we are happy to bring him to our fold,” Ndume added.
