Kidnapping as an all comer's game

Obj has taken part in the negotiation leading to the release of students

kidnapped in Kaduna State. Trust Obj, in leading the negotiation, he named GEJ and PMB as having paid ransom to kidnappers.

However, what takes the cake is Sheik Gumi asking the Central Bank of Nigeria to pay N100m to the kidnappers before it is too late.

I am happy that common sense is beginning to prevail as some good suggestions have started coming out on how to save Nigeria from going to the dogs.

Otherwise, a situation where a sitting head of state pays ransom to local kidnappers is at best an aberration never to be contemplated.

I say this because in 1980, incoming President Ronald Reagan of the United States threatened Iran that had 52 American hostages that he would never negotiate with barbarians, and they quickly did a deal with outgoing President Jimmy Carter.

In our own case because of the lopsided nature of our Polity the likes of Gumi are playing on our collective Intelligence, hobnobbing with criminals and posing as a peacemaker. What an affront?

Under different circumstances, with a neutral security system, he would have been taken in for interrogation. But if Pantami is a Minister, sure Gumi should well expect a similar post, all in the name of repentance and secret agenda.

That there are no Gumis and Pantami's in the South is a testimony to where power resides in the wobbling Nigerian ship.