Public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has opposed the call for a state of emergency to tackle insecurity in Nigeria, describing it as a conspiracy to derail democracy.
Mr. Shehu made the remarks on Monday in a post on X while reacting to reports that some retired senior military officers supported the suggestion by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), for the declaration of a state of emergency over terrorism.
He argued that such a move was not in the best interest of Nigerians but rather a booby trap to suspend elections and give certain interests more access to public funds.
“This sounds like a conspiracy to avoid elections and extend the much-feared polls from a constituency that is as guilty as the politicians and voters, or even guiltier,” Shehu wrote.
According to him, those behind the idea know that under emergency rule, “they will be more relevant and the treasury more openly available.”
Mr. Shehu warned Nigerians not to fall for what he called a defeatist plot, stressing that the focus should instead be on demanding good governance and accountability.
“No sensible Nigerian should buy into this booby trap of emergency rule,” he said.
“What Nigerians must continue to demand is nothing short of good governance, true democracy, stoppage of looting, and security of lives and properties.”
He added that if the proponents of emergency rule succeed for selfish, greedy, and myopic reasons,” the country would lose more than democracy itself.
“They too will be part of the losers even if they run away,” Shehu concluded.
No sensible Nigerian should support booby trap of emergency rule to tackle insecurity – Shehu