UN warns over tensions in Nigeria, others

Global body in charge of security, United Nations Security Council, says it is worried over what it described as continued tensions linked to disputed electoral processes, social and economic difficulties, and conflicts between farmers and herders in the Lake Chad Basin.

Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad are members of the Lake Chad Basin on which the UN body also said it remained concerned at their security and humanitarian  situation caused by Boko Haram and other armed groups.

The body spoke in a Presidential Statement released, yesterday, on the heels of last Tuesday’s siege on the National Assembly by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Service (DSS).

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had fired the DSS Director General, Mr Lawal Daura, following the siege which attracted condemnation from across Nigeria. Some international bodies, including the European Union, EU, also condemned the National Assembly invasion.

The siege had been interpreted in some quarters as part of the moves by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to remove Senate President Bukola Saraki, who had defected  to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through the backdoor.

Another school of thought said the siege was staged by the Senate President, in conjunction with the DSS, to attract sympathy to his person and make the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari look bad in the eyes of the democratic world.