Government has failed woefully in protecting Nigerians, says APC rep

Oluwarotimi Agunsoye, a member of the house of representatives, says government has failed “woefully” in protecting lives and property of citizens.

Agunsoye, a lawmaker from Lagos and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said this at the floor of the green chamber on Tuesday.

He was contributing to motions over recent killings in the country.

Tanko Sununu, member from Kebbi, sponsored a motion on behalf of his colleagues from the state, condemning the recent boat mishap in which 97 people were killed.

Muraina Ajibola from Oyo, and 66 other lawmakers, also sponsored a motion asking the inspector-general of police to facilitate the arrest of killers of “over 50 harmless indigenes” in Igangan town of Oyo state.

Agunsoye, who seconded the latter motion, lamented that the six geopolitical zones in the country have become unsafe for citizens owing to the frequent attacks.

“Dear colleagues, the most hated person in the world, is the person that speaks the truth and people would not want to listen to the truth because they do not want their illusion destroyed,” he said.

“Mr speaker, dear colleagues, I think enough is enough. We need to address the main issue now. Where are we? The role of government in governance is to protect lives and property of the people and to provide welfare for the people.

“Mr speaker, we have failed woefully in all this.  My colleague there, Sununu, said over 70 people were killed. My dear colleague from Oyo state said over 50 people were killed. Somebody from Imo said their people are being killed. Go to the north-east, north-central, south-east, south-west, north-west, south-south — our people are being killed. What are we doing in government?”

Reaffirming his position while briefing journalists, Agunsoye said Nigeria is at war, adding that the country should seek foreign assistance.

“I have said it. The truth is that Nigeria is at war. We cannot secure the people. Indeed, we need assistance from abroad. We better seek for assistance so that we can secure our people. If there is no security, there is no way we can talk about welfare for the people. Day in, day out, people are being murdered and that is the truth,” he said.

“Everybody that has to do with governance in Nigeria has failed. That is exactly what I am saying.”