Former Head of State, General Gowon, Senator Lalong, others identify insecurity as threat to democracy at Professor Yibaikwal’s book launch on Boko Haram

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Senator Lalong greets General Gowon, left

By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong and former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon were among guests who witnessed the public presentation of two books authored by the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Russia with concurrent accreditation to Belarus Prof. Abdullahi Shehu Yibaikwal.

During the event held at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja, Senator Lalong described insecurity as a major threat to democracy and development because of the destruction, distortions and instability it creates.

Lalong said he has been a witness to the challenges that insecurity poses to democracy as former Speaker and later Governor of Plateau State as well as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum among others.

He commended the author for putting down his ideas in two books entitled “Boko Haram and Other Security Challenges in Nigeria: Issues and Options for policy” and “Reflections on the 2023 General Elections: Lessons Learned and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria”.

Lalong said he was proud of Prof. Shehu who is one of his classmates that has continued to make the nation and the international community proud in various national and international assignments.

On his part, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon expressed worry that after the civil war which was a major setback to the nation, Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping, attacks on farmers and innocent villagers have become a recurrent decimal in today’s Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to come together and support the Government and the security agencies to deal with the situation while also embracing peace and dialogue as well as identifying criminals for the law to take its course.

Chairman of the occasion Gen. Paul Tarfa also commended the author for contributing to the search for solutions and hoped that the contents of the book will be studied to give Nigerians an opportunity to work for a safer country.

Former Minister of the FCT Aliyu Modibbo Umar represented Vice President Kashim Shettima where he said the Tinubu Administration will continue to fight all forms of insecurity untill Nigerians sleep with their eyes closed.

There were goodwill messages from various guests who again described Prof. Abdullahi Shehu as a patriotic Nigerian who has demonstrated his passion for peace, security and anti-corruption.