PDP chieftain Segun Sowunmi has compared the massive outrage displayed by Southerners over the kidnapping of Oyo school children to the poor public response often exhibited by Northerners when their region faces severe insecurity.
Sowunmi Highlights Regional Disparity in Outrage
Speaking on Arise News on Monday, June 15, Sowunmi noted that the reaction to the Oyo school kidnap has been significantly stronger than what typically follows similar incidents in the North. He emphasized that this disparity reflects a broader systemic issue in how insecurity is addressed across Nigeria.
Jonathan's Approach to Insecurity
Reflecting on past leadership, Sowunmi observed that former President Goodluck Jonathan understood this systemic problem. Jonathan saw targeted education in underserved parts of Nigeria as the definitive key to addressing long-term insecurity. According to Sowunmi, this approach could have helped bridge the gap in public response and reduced the frequency of such attacks.
Criticism of Current Response
Sowunmi criticized the current handling of insecurity, stating that the situation has not been treated with the seriousness it deserves. He pointed out that governors in affected areas have not shown enough urgency, and local governments have also fallen short in their response. Even public reaction, he said, has not reflected the level of outrage expected, especially after the loss of a senior military officer. Overall, the national response does not match the gravity of the situation.
