NOBODY expects matters of security to be discussed in the open. When security is about elections in Nigeria, the need for secrecy is more. There are too many people interested in compromising security around the elections.

Interests in security vary as much as the many people who are seeking elective offices. Some who lost the plum offices they wanted are involved in the elections in other ways. Their concerns with the elections are deeper than most people anticipate. If things go wrong with the elections, they will be happy.

Others want to control security for other selfish ends. If they are in charge, they can decide where the elections go. They are investing well in security.

Years of insecurity have dispersed control of the strings that pull the country to safety. If it is not the fights in the Niger Delta, there are more than enough communal and religious crises to keep the security people on their toes and spread available resources to breaking point.

These crises may not be as detached from politics as they seem. In most cases, there is only a thin line between religion and politics. Whenever it pays those who want to exploit the convergence of these inflammatory convictions, they set off the fire.

Some of crisis points seemed to have been conceded to the troublemakers. It is no longer unusual for people to be killed in Jos. Governments are fatigued about finding solutions to the killings. The people have taken note of this.

Reprisal killings have become the circuitous responses that will ensure that in the next few years, the crises will continue. Bauchi is seething, Maiduguri bursts into flames at will. These incidents becloud the bombs that are set off at campaign grounds, sending ordinary people to death.

Armed robberies have perhaps reduced because the criminals have become thugs, who politicians hire their services to enforce their victories at the polls. After the elections, robbers will return to their duty posts. Post election violence is highly anticipated.

Where do all these leave governments? Why are no decisive actions taken to contain the wave of violence that sweeps through the country? Have criminals won the war?

There is more to Nigeria than elections. The recourse to explaining every issue with elections is nauseating. When will Nigerians have peace? Will it be possible to have a Nigeria without these endless crises?

We condemn the levity with which governments continue treating these crises. Elections are not the most important part of Nigerian life. Only when the people are safe can they participate in governance and take part in the daily economic and social activities that will promote their well-being.

At the moment, governments may be content with denying the people more access to governance through the high level of insecurity, but it cannot last much longer, if the country intends to improve on its resources and gain the global acceptance that will help its peoples.

The number of these crises, lives they consume, and the instability they create are more than enough reasons for government to see the dangers that are beyond elections.