Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), have, cautioned politicians to desist from destructive politics ahead of 2023 .
They made the call at reception by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) in honour of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, in Lagos.
NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo, and NGE President, Mustapha Isa, commended Bello for turning around the security situation in Kogi.
They said those bent on undermining winning strategies to score political points should not play with the lives of Nigerians.
CRAN said members of the association organised the reception to show appreciation to Bello for being the first governor in Nigeria to train crime reporters and empower them to perform their roles better.
It noted that Kogi State is the safest in the North and one of the safest in Nigeria, owing to the security strategies of the governor, as outlined by the State Security Adviser.
CRAN said a leader who attaches so much importance to security is one who deserves higher assignments.
Bello was represented at the event by Kogi State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd).
The NUJ President said: “When you talk about security, you talk about Governor Yahaya Bello. I know what the security situation used to be before he came on board in Kogi, and I know what it is now.”
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our political actors. We don’t need to destroy the country because of politics. It does appear that some political actors want to puncture the strides of the governor in this area, knowing full well what is coming up in 2023.
“We have only one country we can call our own. That is Nigeria. We have had leaders in the past. They have come and gone. If they destroyed the country, there would be no Nigeria today. Yahaya Bello is doing wonderfully well in the area of security. Politicians should not undermine his strategy all in the name of politics.”
He said the honour for Bello, as patron of CRAN, was very apt, noting that he had brought political touch to clean up the security system.
On his part, Isa, said: “We should not mix politics with the issue of security. When we talk about the worrying insecurity in the country, some governors join us in lamenting. They run to Abuja looking for support. When you ask them, they tell you they are not responsible. So, why do they collect security votes monthly?
“One of those who do not lament, but tackle the menace headlong is Governor Yahaya Bello. That is why he is being honoured today. So, I tell our politicians, never mix politics with security. We should support those getting it right, like Governor Bello, to continue in that line, and also learn from them, not do everything to puncture our gains at the expense of the people.”
Bello said the state responded promptly and successfully to some pockets of violence, noting that an announcement would be made on the issue soon. He also thanked the media for the recognition, describing it as a call on him to do more.