 is still plus politics. Now a mid-white spread insecurity which has taken an alarming turn in some states of the Federation, among which are Kaduna, Niger, Imo, Katsina and Zamfara states, among others. The Southern Kaduna People's Union, Sukapu and other leaders of crisis-ridden communities in Kaduna states have called the federal government to ensure that the prevailing insecurity is brought under reasonable control for a smooth conduct of the impending 2023 general elections. Now they contended that though the terrorists have succeeded in sacking and taking over some communities in the state, with more efforts from government towards securing the state for the conduct of successful polls, the impacts of security challenges would be minimal. And joining us is Professor Chris Wokobiya who is the convener of Country First Movement. Professor Wokobiya, thank you very much for joining us. Good evening. My pleasure to be here with you. Great. Let's start by looking at the security situation in the country. I mean, never in the history of Nigeria have terrorists been bold-faced enough to threaten the president, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. We've seen that in 2022. We've seen that certain schools were shut down in the federal capital territory at some point because of a terrorist scare. I mean, the list is endless as to what's going on across the country and we're getting ready amidst all of that for an election come 2023. What do we even start from to deal with this issue? The term is hard-rending. It bothers every sincere Nigerian. It bothers everyone who's committed to the beloved community. It is a tragedy of sorts that we live in a country where villains, bandits, terrorists, if you like, because the new cliché is on non-gunmen fighting the state and it is so bad that just a few days ago, Nigeria was categorized as the second most terrorized country in the world, after Iraq. It is also harrowing that as you and I talked just yesterday, the senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was almost killed and about 10 persons in his convoy lost their lives. That's what the news has told us. And as we progress towards 2023, it gives every sincere fit man sufficient cause to worry. But I want to say that much as it was the word we had in 2014-2015, a few weeks to that election, the 2015 election, two local village that was able to harrow in the terrorists and the bandits at that point recovered about 17 local governments in the Northeast and then they were able to hold the 2015 election. I hope and pray that this government will cease to play politics with matters of national security. I pray that those who are politically in the terrible situation will cease to politicize these issues and think about how we'll make our country safe and better. Because when the terrorists or the bandits comes for you, they do not ask whether you're Christian or Muslim. They do not ask whether you're Igbo, outside or Yoruba or from the minorities. They do not ask whether you're from the North or the South. They just dish-billionaire. They just dish-bandaged people. They kill the helpless, they name them and rape women. And so at the point that we are at the nation is a call for every sincere Nigerian to not only lampoon the situation but prevail on government to do that which is needful, right and right. I'm curious, Professor. You said something about the government politicking with the issue of insecurity, but could it really be politicking? Could it also be that maybe the government is overwhelmed, overstretched, somewhat bereft of ideas? I mean, because I'm trying to understand why government would have to be lampooned to do its job, especially a job that is their number one responsibility, protecting lives and properties of Nigerians. Have you noticed that there's something to do? Every so often, there is billing. Every so often, there is terror. Every so often, Nigerians are more than a kill. Rather than take responsibility, government is either throwing platitudes. They are either telling us, oh, we're sharp for mystery notes that are never castable. And then what bothers me the most is that when we challenge them, when we lampoon them, they tell us that it was better or that it is better now than 2014-2013. Which is a colossal lie, which is very unfair to the Nigerian estates, because within the last seven years, we have lost more lives. Like you noted in your opening remark, schools were forced to close down in the FCT. A nationalized guard was attacked in Kumbua or Guari. For the first time in the history of our nation, the Nigerian law school will not hold each call to bar and the law school property. They came to town. That's how bad it is. And so, when we lampoon government, when we challenge government, we're not saying that because we're of the Labour Party or the PDP or any other party. We're saying that because, like you noted, the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and properties. But likely, this government has failed to do that. Where do we go from here in closing? Where do we go from here? Because you see, like I said also at the beginning, elections are underway. The 28th of this month, there's going to be the lift on the ban for campaigning. And so it begins in earnest. What should the average Nigerian and voter be having at the back of their mind, especially when they're not safe to even go out to vote? No, the first thing every Nigerian, the average Nigerian must do is to be circumspect and careful, is to be able to look above one's shoulder, prayerfully watch whatever state protects, and then ask the National Strategic Agency, agencies I mean, the police, the Nigerian Army, the road safety, the paramilitary obligations, like the civil defense and all that, to sit up and do what is called right and right, which is the protection of lives and properties. And then above all, the political class, those who are going to be in the field campaigning, must be careful not to exacerbate tension. Must be careful to deal with issues, campaign on issues, rather than much slinging. Must be careful not to preach the messages that divide, but presently for the Nigerian people, issues that will locate our country on the pathway to revival, the pathway to growth. Because save and accept that is done, if we continue the way we are, if the politicians continue to divide and preach ethnic and religious messages, there will be trouble. Because I say without provocation that it appears like the Nigerian second agency is overstretched. So we must be one another's people. We must protect each other. We must push and preach the message of peace while it's with politics. Well, Professor Chris Moacobi, I think that this is the point where we all just say our hail Mary's and hope for the best in the coming future. Thank you so much, Professor Chris Moacobi, for speaking with us on the segment. We appreciate it. The pleasure is mine. That's it on the show tonight. We'll be back tomorrow talking for development on the biggest political stories across the country. I am Mary Anacone. Have a good evening.