Passing the Buck to God

In the wake of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar's death in bandits' custody, Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Mutawalle, stated that "only God can ultimately bring an end to Nigeria’s insecurity challenges." While acknowledging the ultimate role of the Almighty, the minister's comment has been criticized as an attempt to deflect responsibility, particularly given the ongoing security crises plaguing the nation.

The author draws parallels to a similar statement made in 1980 by Alhaji Isa Kaita, who, when nominated as chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, suggested "only God can solve the problem of corruption in Nigeria." However, the article notes that Kaita, unlike Mutawalle, also outlined numerous human-driven solutions, emphasizing personal example, robust systems, careful appointments, strict rule enforcement, and severe punishment for infractions.

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only God can ultimately bring an end to Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.

This sentiment of "passing the buck" is contrasted with the famous inscription on former U.S. President Harry Truman's desk: "The Buck Stops Here." Truman, weary of officials evading responsibility, recognized that as president, he could not defer decisions or accountability further up the chain of command.

The article highlights the severity of Nigeria's insecurity, citing not only General Abubakar's tragic death but also the ongoing abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in Oyo State, 42 school pupils by Boko Haram in Borno State, and numerous other kidnappings in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Taraba. In this context, the minister's reliance on divine intervention is seen as a failure to address the immediate, human-led actions required to combat these pervasive threats.

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only God can solve the problem of corruption in Nigeria.