By Ayoade Esther Damola
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ajibola Basiru, Thursday charged the three arms of government and the citizens on the need for them to live up to their responsibilities.
Basiru charged the Executive arm of government to champion constitutional obedience, the Legislature to enhance its oversight functions, the Judiciary to guard its independence, and citizens to conscientiously demand transparency and accountability.
Dr. Basiru gave the charge while presenting his paper at the 4th Distinguished Personality Lecture of the College of Law, Osun State University.
Speaking on the theme, “Democratic Governance, National Security and the Rule of Law,” Basiru noted that democracy, security, and the rule of law are interwoven and mutually reinforcing, stressing that the effective interplay of the three is crucial for a stable state.
He explained that democratic governance provides the mechanism for legitimate authority; the rule of law ensures that the exercise of authority is just and accountable; while national security is the necessary condition for the political community to thrive.
He further added that civil society, the media, and citizens all have roles to play in security accountability.
“Civil Society Organizations should act as essential watchdogs. The media should be free and independent to ensure that the public is accurately informed and to prevent the spread of propaganda and fake news that can inflame ethno-religious suspicion and worsen security situations.
Citizens, on their part, should be partners in intelligence sharing and community vigilance, which I see as effective in complementing the military approach.”
APC scribe also underscore his support for state police, saying a single, federally controlled police force cannot effectively respond to acts of insecurity that require swift, localized responses.
Senator Basiru explained that state police would complement the federal police and improve community engagement, local intelligence gathering, and operational speed in protecting the nation from hydra-headed security threats.
The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State suggested that Nigeria must move beyond merely diagnosing problems to enacting actionable strategies already enumerated.
Dr. Basiru submitted that fortifying the rule of law, strengthening public trust, and reinforcing democratic norms will enable Nigeria to withstand present threats and position itself as a model of democratic resilience on the African continent.
