•Dame Pauline Tallen
Former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Dame Pauline Tallen, in this interview, regrets the escalation of killings in Plateau State and other parts of the country, especially the Middle Belt. The former Minister of Women Affairs, consequently, calls on Nigerians to have humanity in them, while noting that the federal government can tackle the menace if it so wishes, reports Sunday Independent.
Excerpt:
Recently, your state of Plateau, as well as Benue, came under attacks as armed men invaded communities in the two states, killing scores of helpless villagers. What is your take on this as you are from the North Central zone?
No one will be happy over what is going on in the communities over there where innocent and helpless villagers are killed and the surviving ones are chased out of their homes. It is very sad, very disturbing, very, very disheartening and sad that such is escalating at this time of our national life. There should be enough of this bloodshed. What has been going on in that part of the country is very despicable and should be condemned by all right thinking Nigerians. The extent of bloodshed is too much and it is very disturbing and shameful that we as a nation could get to this level where human lives no longer matter. When one looks at the whole scenario, you begin to ask whether we have lost it as a nation; whether we no longer have humanity in us. I think we should have some humanity in us. It’s unacceptable what has been going on in our land all these while. Like I have always said, it is heartbreaking, it is disturbing, it is a shame. How long will this continue? How long? How long will innocent people continue to live in fear of not just the situation but their lives? How long will they keep sleeping with their eyes open because of threats of attacks and death? This is very disturbing and I think this is the time Nigerians must come together to condemn this.
A lot of personalities in the North Central, including David Mark and former Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Danjuma, have said what has been going on in the North Central is nothing more than ethnic cleansing. Do you share that sentiment? I mean, what do you see?
Well, no matter how it is seen, I still believe we are human beings and should have compassion. That’s why I said, let’s see and ignite the humanity in us. It cuts off everything. Once we see humanity in us and the need to live in peace, we will see the end to the bloodletting. What do you want me to say? It has been going on for years, yet no solution and it is very sad that people are being killed just like that. Nigerians must at this point realise that we all are humans and should stop the killings, it pays no one for fellow humans to die they way people are being killed, it is very sad and shameful and the government should do something about this.
The Patriots of which you are a member, comprise of eminent Nigerians seeking for the good of the country, as well as equity; what is their impression about the killings and general insecurity in the country?
At this point, the solution goes beyond The Patriots; it is and should be a collective efforts to make sure that this despicable situation is stopped. The Patriots are eminent Nigerians that want to see a new Nigeria where no one is left behind. A new Nigeria where there is fairness and justice. And where there is fairness and justice, the main ingredients of fairness and justice is peace. And once there is peace, there will be development. And once there is development, we will have a better Nigeria. So The Patriots understandably do not and won’t be happy about what is happening in terms of insecurity. The Patriots are desirous of a better Nigeria where peace, love and equity is embraced by all, so we cannot have peace when people are killed, that is the fact and The Patriots will continue to champion constitutional democracy where people are treated equally.
As a former deputy governor, what is your advice to the federal government, what do you think they can do? How do you think the federal government can tackle this issue right now?
Honestly, the federal government can do something, if they so wish to do it. There is nothing beyond the government. I still have the belief that if they, at the centre, want to do something to end this bloodletting, they can do it because everything is within their disposal to do so. Nothing is beyond the federal government.
Madam, there are some beliefs that lack of adequate education and orientation is part of the problem. What is your opinion on that?
Of course, we all know that education is the key. Education is the key to national development. Without education, you can’t get anything right. I am an advocate for education and I believe that all well-meaning Nigerians, all God-fearing people should agree with that. And once there is fairness and justice, no one is left behind.
