The former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, has shared some steps for combating insurgency in the country.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sheriff urged the Federal Government to strengthen regional alliances with neighbouring countries as a critical step towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency.
He asserted that peace in Nigeria cannot be restored without meaningful cooperation with neighbouring states.
“What should be done is that we have to have a proper relationship with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger,” he said when asked what must be done to permanently end the Boko Haram crisis.
The former federal lawmaker recalled that during his tenure as governor [from 2003 to 2011], people mistakenly assumed the insurgency was a Borno issue.
“Even my next-door neighbour, then governor of Yobe State, did not believe this had nothing to do with the people of Borno.
“These are problems that were coming from outside Nigeria. Unfortunately for us in Borno State, we are bordered by Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, and it’s all land borders,” he said.
The senator added that “local actors were being financed and manipulated under religious pretexts,” noting that external forces were involved in destabilising Nigeria during his administration.
When asked to address Nigerians’ worsening economic hardship under the Tinubu administration, Sheriff acknowledged the pain but cautioned against blaming a single individual.
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