The Acting Deputy Director of Islamic Affairs, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Leutenant Colonel Adeleke Lawal has disclosed that injustice, oppression, discrimination and abuse of power by public office holders are the major factors responsible for insecurity in Nigeria.
He made this assertion while speaking as the Guest Speaker at the annual Ramadan lecture organised by Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria, MULAN, Oyo State chapter.
The event which was held in Ibadan on Sunday had Professor Taofeek Yekeen from department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan and Mr Rasheed Adelakun, Director of Department of State Service in Oyo State as discussants.
Lawal while delivering a paper titled “Security and economy: Islamic model for accountable leadership” explained that security is tied to justice and that injustice destroys security.
He said that peace and stability cannot exist where oppression, discrimination and abuse of power prevail, noting that many Nigerians are languishing in abject poverty despite the abundant resources due to widespread injustice, discrimination and abuse of power in the country.
He warned that when economic power is monopolized by a small group of people, it undermines national security.
Lawal advised governments at all levels and office holders to ensure equitable distribution of resources in the country, noting that this will help to reduce social menaces in the country to the barest minimum.
Lawal said, “Security and economy are not peripheral issues. They are foundation pillars of civilization. When security collapses, economic life suffocates. When economic injustice spreads, insecurity multiplies. When leadership lacks accountability, both security and economic stability deteriorate simultaneously. Where leadership is ethical and responsible, stability and prosperity follow. Islam does not treat security and economy as isolated administrative sectors. Rather, it integrates them within a comprehensive model of accountable leadership rooted in justice, trust and moral responsibility before Allah and society.
“Security is tied to justice, meaning that peace and stability cannot exist where oppression, discrimination or abuse of power prevail. When citizens trust that laws are fair and rights are protected, social order becomes sustainable. Injustice destroys security, because when people are denied fairness, marginalized economically or treated unequally before the law, resentment grows. That resentment eventually manifests as crime, rebellion or social unrest.
“Moral corruption leads to instability, when bribery, exploitation, dishonesty, and abuse of office become normalized, when institutions weaken. Once institutions weaken, insecurity multiplies and economic confidence collapses”.
Yekeen and Adelakun, in their contributions, called on the governments at all levels to find ways to address imbalances in the country.
Alli charged the electorate to ask questions from their representatives, adding that the recently signed electoral act will contribute positively to the political development of the country.
“As your elected representatives, you can ask questions. Gone are the days when they say that don’t go out to vote. I want to tell you that ask questions. The electoral act has taken away the power from politicians. I mean those who want to rig elections. There is no way now”.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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