Former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to seek help wherever it could to address the escalating insecurity in the country.

Mr Saraki, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said calling for help in the present situation of the country was not a sign of weakness.

“Even those of us in the opposition party recognise the fact we can only exist if we continue to have a country,” said Mr Saraki. “Thus, we are willing to cooperate with the government in finding solutions to this problem.”

He said he was worried about violence, kidnapping, and terrorism recorded on Monday in Anambra, Kaduna, Yobe, Niger, Lagos, and many parts of the country.

The ex-senate president reiterated the need for Mr Buhari to convene a meeting of all who could help find solutions to the problem.

“The people include former presidents and heads of state, serving and former chief justices, serving and former presiding officers of the National Assembly.

“Others include serving and former heads of security agencies, traditional rulers with relevant experience, leaders of the private sector, development partners and friends of Nigeria in the international community,” he said.

Mr Saraki stated that the meeting must hold expeditiously and followed by immediate actions.

“l know there are many people who believe the fact that this suggestion is coming from a source outside government is a good reason for the president to ignore it,” he pointed out. “I think the attitude this time around must be different. This is definitely not a time for partisanship or for people to play politics with the lives of the citizenry and the future of the country.

He reminded Mr Buhari that the security of lives and property “is the first and most important duty of government and it should be taken seriously.”

“My suggestion here is an appeal made out of genuine concern with what is going on in our dear country,” the politician said.

He also called on the leaders of the All Progressives Congress to help the administration get solutions to the national crisis.

He further said this was the time for party leaders to search for a solution and get the government to act swiftly in implementing good ideas that would return normalcy and the path of genuine development.

(NAN)