Nasarawa group condemns Wadada over remarks against Ex-IGP Adamu

The forum said it would have refrained from responding, but noted that remaining silent in the face of what it called unprovoked attacks on Adamu would amount to a disservice to the people of Nasarawa State.

“We would not have engaged Senator Wadada, but to remain silent in the face of his unprovoked remarks and insults directed at a fellow contestant, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, would be a disservice to the good people of Nasarawa State, to whom we owe our allegiance,” the statement read.

"We therefore wish to seize this medium to condemn in all its entirety the unprovoked insults directed at the person of the former IGP Adamu by Senator Aliyu Wadada on Arise TV last Wednesday. 

"As the senator himself acknowledged in that interview he was just playing politics. But must you play politics with something as serious as the safety and security of the lives and property of Nasarawa State? This is because security matter is not something that should be treated with kid gloves as Senator Wadada attempted to do on national television. 

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"There are a few points to ponder in that interview. With the benefit of hindsight  Senator Wadada is not abreast with the salient fact that insecurity anywhere,  however minor, is a threat in itself. Once there is security scar from any quarters, especially in a state, investment opportunities, growth and development, and even the daily hustle and bustle by the people in the informal sector is greatly undermined. In fact, every good thing takes flight once there is fear of insecurity anywhere. 

"Nasarawa State, in North Central has since become a hotbed of crime with serious threat of banditry and civil unrest. This should bother anyone especially considering the fact that the state shares close proximity with the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. For a state eyeing investment opportunities from across the federation and abroad, it stands to reason that Nasarawa state needs to be secured, safe and sound for business to thrive to decide otherwise is a bad omen indeed.

"As a lawmaker, Senator Wadada is supposed to understand that real governance is different from optics and rhetoric. His claim that the former IGP Adamu didn't do anything spectacular as the highest ranking officer of the Nigerian Police Force beggars belief because the former has an enviable record of service not yet surpassed by many of his contemporaries. In his over three decades service in the Force,  Adamu served meritoriously, winning accolades and plaudits from numerous institutions both nationally and internationally. 

"The Ex-IGP Adamu's record is out there in the public for anyone to scrutinise, at least he rose through the ranks and file to attain the highest level of his profession. His record in the public service is untainted and unblemished so to now dismiss it as nothing is to display the highest level of ignorance there is.

"For the avoidance of doubt and confusion, the retired IGP Adamu is a man of gravitas whose preparedness for the onerous task of governance is not in doubt and which is why he has been touring the 147 wards in the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State to touch base with the people with a view to canvassing their support and not seeking optics and attention from unlikely quarters.

"We're closely monitoring the situation and ready to file a class action suit against Senator Wadada and his foot soldiers whose penchant for maligning and haranguing the name and person of Ex-IGP Adamu and other contestants is legendary. This has to stop."