President Buhari’s meeting with security chiefs and Monguno’s insensitivity

By James Giwa

Last week Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari, had a cause to meet with top security chiefs in the country to discuss the recent security breaches in the country in which over a hundred persons lost their lives.

Nigerians were happy to see the President rise to the occasion to address the unfortunate incidents that happened in Gubio Local Government of Borno State and in Faskari Local Government of Katsina State as it is considered a step forward towards understanding the issues that led to the breaches and what could be done to avert recurrence.

As news clips of the event were being relayed however, not a few were quick to notice a slip which from all indications is capable of worsening the security situation in the country when the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), said President Buhari reprimanded the service  chiefs over alleged failure to curb worsening insecurity in the nation and that the President reportedly told the top military officers their “best was not good enough.”

He said: “Mr. President expressed great concern over the declining security situation in the country. He is extremely unhappy about what is happening. He feels that even though the security agencies are doing their best, their best is not good enough for him and he wants an immediate reversal of the current trend and immediate reversal of our misfortunes in all their dimensions.”

While it may not be right to say that the NSA prevaricated on the essence of what the President told the service  chiefs  at the meeting, it would not be out of place for one to point how unlikely it is for the President to make such conflicting rhetoric.

One, the President is not known to be ambiguous when making a speech.

Two, he is known as a man who doesn’t waste words to impress his audience but goes straight to the point when talking.

Three, there’s no way the President would have at one point observe that the security chiefs had already given their best and again go ahead  to charge them again to go and do more.

Four, the President is always very serious about matters of security that he would not have allowed any ambiguity in his comments at the meeting.

Finally, it seems likely and in context with the account of various sources at the meeting, that the President mentioned the service chiefs in the bid to encourage them to give in their best in light of the current challenges. 

Based on this analysis, it is obvious that what the president said at the meeting and was taken out of context in the course of transmission to the general public was that while the security chiefs are trying to put in their best, certain factors may have accounted for the recent lapses recorded and therefore asked the sevice chiefs to look into these issues and address them as appropriate.

From all indications, the President believes in the capability of the service chiefs and only told them they can do more to spur them into more action, but not to discourage them. 

This is more so because the President and majority of Nigerians appreciate the enormity of the security challenges in the country and what the service chiefs and the troops have been doing in the theaters of operation.  

Many are aware that in the last three months, Nigerian troops have raided the camps of insurgents,  neutralised over 1400 of them,  captured over 116 of their informants as well as destroy many of their weapons and bunkers.

But the NSA in conveying the message of the President clearly understated this and concentrated on a negative aspect which is capable of doing more harm than good to the already bad security situation in the country.

One would have thought that since the NSA was carefully chosen to address the press on the outcome of the meeting due to the sensitive nature of the issues involved and because his position as NSA puts him in a better place to analyse and synthesize every sensitive information to be given to the public in the most mature and appropriate way, he should have handled the briefing better.

But what one saw of the NSA at the briefing was no different from what a politician with covert ambition would have done to ridicule his opponent. 

Either the NSA lost his composure when faced with  cameras or he deliberately did not analyse the information at his disposal in a manner required of an intelligence officer of his calibre and ended up ridiculing the service chiefs by saying their best was not good enough.

To security experts, even if the President had said so, it takes a level of myopia and lack of appreciation of the relevance of information as a potent tool in the fight against insurgency and terrorism for the NSA to have revealed that because saying such a thing is akin to giving a veiled commendation to Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents that they are on the right track. 

But this is most unfair and totally uncalled for given the much the sevice chiefs have given of their time, resources, intellect and experience to turn things around not to talk of the sacrifice of troops at the battlefield. 

People are aware that the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff have at one time or the other been compelled to relocate to the theaters of operations in the Northeast.

Only last week, all three had to move to Katsina to arrest the situation in the Northwest. 

The chief of army staff had to remain in the trenches in the Northeast since March and only came to Abuja to brief the President as he has assured Nigerians that he will be going back.

For Monguno to give the impression that all these efforts were not appreciated by the President to me, is the height of mischief if done deliberately; and the height of insensitivity if said in error, as his statement will no doubt demoralize the troops who are sacrificing everything to make sure they defend the country. 

One thing I find curious also is how the NSA cleverly excluded himself from the reported reprimand by the President which he said was intended at only the service chiefs.

While it is now clear that the President could not have said the best of the service chiefs is not good enough, entertaining such a viewpoint exposes the shallow mindedness of the NSA to the overall security structure of the country because Monguno, as the National Security Adviser to the President is part of the security and intelligence network of the country and if indeed the President had in any way implied that the service chiefs are not doing enough then he cannot be excused from blame.

This is self- indicting on the part of the NSA because while one could point a finger at one or two things the service chiefs have done to halt worsening security situation in the country, one cannot point at a single thing the current NSA has done in that regard. 

He has not been seen either engaging the relevant agencies with ideas or counter strategies nor using the vast resources and information at his disposal to penetrate the ranks of the insurgents.

It is surprising that with the glaring inactivity from his side, the NSA still finds the courage to mouth disparaging remarks about other service chiefs in the country disguised cleverly as quoting the President. 

In order to avoid this kind of counter intuitive slip in future, i will advise the NSA  to begin to see himself as part of the team required to bring lasting solution to the security situation in the country rather than continue in this posture where he sees himself as an external examiner whose only function is to supervise the service chiefs. 

Giwa a concerned citizen wrote this piece from Rayfield, Jos.

Boko Haram And Our Failure To Act Right

By Andrew Idoko

The Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria has had its attendant effect on our socio-political life, given the wanton destructions that have been recorded in North-East Nigeria. In July 2009, the Boko Haram uprising began in Borno state. It spread to other northern states, leaving hundreds of followers, Nigerian law enforcement officers, and civilians dead. In subsequent years, attacks in the Northeast and other parts of the country, including bombings, mass shootings, and executions began to rise.
Since then, there have been an incredible number of deaths as a result of the Boko Haram Insurgency. The trademarks of the Boko Haram insurgents are wanton destruction of lives and property with reckless abandon through bombings, abduction and slaughtering of human beings, especially in Northern Nigeria. This has created palpable fear and sense of insecurity in the polity.
The Boko Haram insurgency has pitted neighbours against themselves, cost thousands of lives, displaced millions, destroyed hundreds of schools and government buildings and devastated an already ravaged economy in the North East. We must consequently agree that before now, Nigeria was on the fringe and the military at some point seemed helpless in dealing with the threats posed by Boko Haram.
I recall that at some point, the Boko Haram group was in control of over 16 local government areas spread across states in North-East, Nigeria. And even the nation’s capital was not spared of the atrocities of the Boko Haram group.
At some point, there seemed to be no solution in sight because the then political authorities treated the issue at hand with kid gloves. They politicked with the issues and gave it religious and ethnic colorations. The situation was so pathetic that soldiers were often transported in civilian vehicles, trailers and water tankers when going to the theatres of operation. The revelations on the sorry state of things in the past, which have emanated from the investigative panel so far, points clearly to the kind of legacy bequeathed to this present administration by the past government. However this is not a time for trading blames, but a time to move forward.
The tide turned from 2016 when the Nigerian military gained ascendency over the group. Of course, this was a result of a strong commitment displayed the political authorities through ways such as the quality of heads of security agencies appointed and with a mandate to ensure that the activities of the group were curtailed to the barest minimum. This trend continued, and it eventually led to many gains recorded in the theatre of operations.
While it is sufficient to give credit to President Muhammadu Buhari for providing that leadership when it was badly needed, credit must also go to the military for their display of professionalism and commitment all the years. We must agree that, but for the gallantry of the military, it would have been a different song that would have been sung today.
I can’t but agree that the Boko Haram war in Nigeria has been a one-sided one, in the sense that the bulk of the job was left in the hands of the military alone. At the same time, some other stakeholders paid lip service. Yes, the military is mandated to address security concerns in the country. However, it must be understood that the Boko Haram insurgency is not a conventional one, but an asymmetric war that only military might cannot defeat.
This position has been canvassed in numerous forums where it was stated that there must be an understanding and a synergy amongst stakeholders in addressing the threats posed by the Boko Haram group. The question thus is: has our leaders risen to the occasion to play that invaluable role in ensuring Nigeria defeats Boko Haram squarely?
The answer is an obvious one because we are all witnesses to the position of some of our leaders, who have continued to play to the gallery, through their public statements, and actions that from all intent and purpose seems to be promoting the Boko Haram cause rather than condemning it and supporting the Nigerian military in this regard.
We must also admit that this ought to be a collective endeavor because we are all victims of the fangs of the Boko Haram group. But what have we done in our little corners towards assisting the military? What about our leaders? Have they been strategic enough? Have they exhibited an undying love for the country? Have they pondered that these soldiers in the trenches have families as well that they left behind? Are they aware that some of these soldiers have left their families and never returned?
Ironically some of us would take up news pages and television stations calling for the sack of service chiefs while in our cocoon we yet give discreet support to these terrorists to continue to wreak havoc in the country.
Our leaders have indeed failed us when we come to the politics involved in the Boko Haram insurgency. I am afraid to state that it is indeed a big business for politicians that see the festering of the insurgency as an avenue to smile to the bank. And when the military makes gains, it depletes their bank accounts. Yes, this is the starkness of the reality on the ground. And for them, the insurgency must fester so they can have a comparative advantage politically and financially.
In all of these, I am consoled that we have a president that cannot be cowed by press statements and appearances on television on the efforts of the military in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Mr. President knows better because that is his constituency, and he understands war strategies and the various factors that come to play in a war situation.
However, we cannot continue in this fashion as a people and as a country because if we do, Nigeria will continue to bear the brunt of our actions. And for those that see it convenient to throw stones in the village square because they and their families are holed up in their mansions should realize that one day that same stone would bounce back and shatter the glasses of their mansions and nobody would be safe anymore.
This is indeed the time for us to retrace our steps in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. This is not an issue to play politics with because a country at war can never experience sustainable growth and development. The scars of the civil war should be fresh in our minds and consequently guide our actions and inactions.
The shutdown of countries due to the coronavirus pandemic should also remind us that there is only one place called home and we must put things in order if we must survive. For a time would come where our survival would depend on how well we have done in making our country great. With the way things are going globally, anything can happen tomorrow, and the mansions and luxury cars would mean nothing.
The time to act is now. The Boko Haram insurgency has evolved for years not because there have not been sustained efforts from the military, but because our leaders have not come to terms with reality on the ground. There must be the sincerity of heart and purpose. All hands must be on deck. That it is happening in the north now does not mean it can’t happen elsewhere.
Those trying to make political gains out of the killings in the north must desist from such endeavors as it would only serve the purpose of disintegration. I can bet that this is not the vision of our founding fathers.
I pledge to Nigeria my country, to be faithful, loyal and honest. To serve Nigeria will all my strength, to defend her unity, uphold her honor and glory, and so help me God. What about you?

Idoko is a political affairs analyst and wrote this piece from Yola.

Banditry: Kuanum blames failed politicians, hails military efforts

A security expert and public affairs commentator,  Mr Terrence Kuanum, has attributed the incessant cases of violence and bandit attacks in parts of northern Nigeria to the activities of failed politicians who want to paint the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in bad light.

He insisted that the Nigerian military is doing a good job of ridding the country of insurgency and terrorism explaining that the scourge has continued only because other critical stakeholders in the sector have not been alive to their responsibilities. 

Kuanum who spoke with a team of editors in his residence in Abuja, said information available to him as an expert in security matters indicates that most of the cases of violence and banditry in northern  Nigeria are politically motivated and sponsored by those who contested and lost against the ruling party in recent elections.

The security expert said the failed politicians believe that by sponsoring violence and other acts of criminality they would be de-marketing the Buhari presidency so as to put them in stead to contest in 2023. 

Kuanum said information at his disposal indicates that many of the failed politicians are not happy with the gains made by the military against insurgents and criminals in recent times and are hellbent on thwarting the efforts due to their 2023 ambitions 

“They are scared that if Buhari is allowed to continue with his streak of achievements especially in the area of  security, then he would have fulfilled one of the cardinal objectives of his administration to secure the nation and that would further bury their dreams of returning to power.

“They know they have nothing to offer to the people so they don’t want to allow the President deliver on his mandate as that would put the final nail on their political coffin,” he stated.

The security expert said the failed politicians were particularly angered by the accolades the Buhari administration was receiving from all over the world over its ability to neutralise terrorists operating on the fringes of the Lake Chad region so they decided to work against it.

He said, “If you have been observing developments in the Northeast, you will notice that our military have been on top of their games neutralising the insurgents and making it difficult for them the launch surprise attacks on communities and it became obvious that the total defeat of the insurgents is a matter of days.

“Encomiums started pouring in from all over including those critical of the Buhari administration, that the administration is doing well and the president was going to keep his promise about providing adequate secuirty in the country.

“So they distracted the military with banditry attacks in the Northwest and in that moment, struck in the Northeast all in the bid to paint the current administration in bad light.”

Kuanum said it is high time people are made aware of this conspiracy so they would realise that the fault is not that of the military which is doing its best to secure the nation but due to the activities of some unpatriotic elements. 

The security expert said it is curious that the Nigerian military which is one of the best in the world should be put on a negative spot light for operations carried out at home.

He asked: “Does it not strike you as curious that the same military which liberated Sierra Leone; rescued UN soldiers from terrorists in Somalia; restored democracy in Liberia and led successful joint military operations in several parts of world would be said to be failing at home?”

He said this is clearly an indication that some forces are behind the campaign to sustain the carnage.

“You cannot reconcile the fact that the Nigerian military which has such a sterling record of achievements abroad could be said to be overstretched at home,” he stated.

He maintained that on a scale of a hundred, the Nigerian military has performed at over 90 stressing that the occasional attacks used to assess the military is due to the inability of other stakeholders to perform their tasks and because some of the violence are politically induced.

He said if the other stakeholders are doing half of what the military are doing in the area of security in the last four years, Nigeria would have attained the much needed peace.

He warned the politicians who he described as agents of darkness to desist from their evil acts saying not only would they be exposed in the not too distant future but would be prosecuted and made to face the full wrath of the law.

Kuanum advised those saddled with other responsibilities in the secuiety architecture of the country to wake up to their responsibilites so as to bring an end to insurgency in Nigeria.

He said, ” A lot depends on intelligence gathering, consultation, mediation and other subtle initiatives that cannot be handled through field combat.

“These areas are seriously lacking and it forms part of my recommendation to

the government to end insurgency.

He explained that there is no war that is fought using a single approach as he said every conflict is a result of breakdown in negotiations.

“Both methods are usually deployed to speed up the process of ending conflict but in Nigeria the other stakeholders have abandoned their posts and left the entire process in the hands of the military.

This should no longer be the case and I’m calling on all stakeholders to wake up from slumber and contribute their quota so as to complement  what the military is doing,” he said and called on all to support the military to stamp out terrorism in Nigeria.

APC Crisis: Oshiomhole’s intolerance responsible, not 2023 ambition – Lukman

The Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, has dismissed claims that the current leadership crisis in the party is as a result of scheming by political gladiators to control party structures ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The APC chieftain attributed the wave of crisis in the party to the intolerance of its leaders in the National Working Committee (NWC)

Lukman in a personal statement signed Sunday in Abuja, also chastised the NWC of the party for its inability to convene important party meetings, saying it is now easier to organize a general election in Nigeria than hold a meeting of the APC’s National Executive Committee NEC.

The forum DG said he was reacting to a commentary by a certain Peter Oparah calling on the APC Governors to sack him for doing a ‘cheap hatchet’, adding that the task of DG of PGF is separate from the responsibility of being a member of APC.

Stating that no one was using him to fight any cause, Lukman said political debates are now reduced to propaganda partly because Nigerians take leadership for granted and expect that people working with leaders must always demonstrate agreement. “Once that is the case, leaders limit themselves to recruiting sycophants to work with them”, he said.

Lukman advocated the need to divorce the politics of 2023 from the current leadership crisis in the party.

According to him; “As Nigerians, we have the constitutional right to freely express ourselves, and by extension, also have expectations that should guide who gets elected. Does that explain the leadership crisis in APC and to what extent does that confirm or otherwise the allegations that those who are against Comrade Oshiomhole are doing it for 2023?

“Inability to manage disagreements and resolve conflicts bordering on leadership disputes is at the centre of the crisis in APC. Unfortunately, these are not the issues being debated. What is being debated is about the personalities in the conflict and who is supporting who. It is not about the details of the disagreements. We may succeed to come to agreement about who should occupy the positions, but will that prevent a situation whereby organs of the party will not meet such that vacancies will emerge and proper processes of refilling the vacancies will not be followed?

“Partly, to blackmail those of criticising Comrade Oshiomhole, all those alleged to have been opposed to him are being accused of nursing or supporting ambition for 2023. False as it is, to avoid falling into the pit being dug to produce intolerant leaders, party leaders and members should not be defensive about their positions. They should be able to ask, since Comrade Oshiomhole is a threat to the ambition of those opposed to him, it means that there is someone he supports. Who is that person and what does that person represent? Is Comrade Oshiomhole’s leadership attributes representative of the orientation of the person Comrade Oshiomhole is supporting?

“We must not allow the debate to be reduced to a simple strategy to conquer and subjugate opponents. The danger here is not that Comrade Oshiomhole may succeed in defeating his opponents, but that if it is part of the strategy to promote a particular person to emerge as President Buhari’s successor in 2023, for instance, based on Comrade Oshiomhole’s style of leadership, it then means that there is a very high possibility that such a post-President Buhari successor will be closer, if not worse than, President Obasanjo’s model of garrison leadership. Is that the type of President we want?,” he queried.

Berating Oshiomhole for reneging on his campaign promises to reengineer the party by activating all its organs, Lukman lamented that it has now become easier to organize a general election in Nigeria than hold a NEC meeting of the party.

He said; “Just as an illustration, it will be useful to recall one aspect of his (Oshiomhole’s) vision statement, which commits him; ‘To promote internal party democracy, we will ensure that all organs of the party regularly meet, as stipulated by the party’s Constitution. For instance, article 25 of the APC’s Constitution provides that National Convention of the party shall be held once in two years; National Executive Committee NEC every quarter and National Working Committee NWC once every month’.

“Yet, when party leaders are criticised for these infractions, it is being translated to mean agenda for 2023. Rather than therefore allow distractions based on highlighting issues of contractual relationship that have no bearing on the challenges, the focus should be on problems of intolerance, which is the source of the leadership crisis in APC. In terms of how it manifests in APC, it is two-fold. The first is, what is it that should be done to ensure that the APC is able to democratise itself and based on its democratic credentials produce the kind of leaders Nigerians are looking for? The second issue is, how can we support APC leaders to re-orient themselves in the direction of democratising the party to produce the kind of leaders Nigerians want?

“The first border on the details of the current leadership crisis in APC. The second is really about challenging our leaders to be much more tolerant and honestly engage the issues. It is not about scheming to dominate. If it is about scheming, then no need to expect internal democracy in our parties and we should be ready to accept all the crude practices of manipulating and producing fictitious membership register just ahead of party primary. Once we encourage our leaders to be intolerant, we should just be ready for every known democratic requirement to be undermined.

“In short, the problem of intolerance, is the fundamental leadership challenge in Nigerian politics. Given all the leadership problems of APC at the moment and against the overriding consideration of producing the type of tolerant leaders who should ‘live in the present, with one eye on the future’ as well as ‘right-brain and left-brain’, through democratic process, the first requirement is for APC to ensure that all organs of the party are made functional and they accommodate as all shades of opinions of members”, he adde

Insecurity: Northern youths warn politicians behind killings, sponsored protests

The Coalition of Northern Groups for Good Governance (CNGG) has fired warning shots at politicians it alleged to be behind the recent killings and protests across the country to seize from their mission to destabilize Nigeria. 

The group which said it is made up of about 35 CSOs and groups across the north disclosed that the youths are getting impatient with induced insecurity and partisan protests by those responsible for the carnage in the land.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon in Abuja, President, Comrade Abu Mohammed said these partisan merchants of violence and killings are contracted to cause unrest, agonies and bloodshed in parts of the north.

According to the group, their misioon is to claim power from the backdoor, as typified by their constant sermons for the sack of serving Service Chiefs.

After several failed attempts, the Northern youths revealed that they now resorted into discrediting President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration; blur the successes of the Service Chiefs to find public justification to compel Mr. President to sack his hard working and dedicated security team.

The group, however, warned these disgruntled politicians to quit their “devilish agenda”. 

While throwing its weight behind the president, CNGG added that it is very much satisfied with the Service Chiefs, as a unified front is required to surmount the various security challenges.

Read full statement below:

Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen of the Fourth Estate of the Realm,

Let’s warmly welcome you members of the Press to this briefing and also seize this unique privilege to specially thank Almighty God for our country and our lives.

We cannot be more thankful to our Creator that in spite of the mounting self-created and induced adversities manifest in resurgent insecurities, He has equally empowered our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari with the wisdom to always stand firm in our collective defence. He has never flinched or blinked over his responsibility of protecting the lives and property Nigerians.

However, we can never find it intolerable, unacceptable and very expedient to once again speak to Nigerians, particularly, some excited and partisan merchants of violence and killings contracted to cause unrest, agonies and bloodshed in parts of Northern Nigeria.

Let us quickly remind that the North and Nigeria is our collective heritage. It is very painful that some dubious characters are aligning with internal and external forces to destroy it. We are angered by this development and it will be a shame for our generation to bear this stigma and therefore, the imperative for caution.  

We thought with 2019 electioneering campaigns over; elections won and lost; some sanity would return to the self-acclaimed political godfathers of Nigeria. The renewed acts of armed banditry, killings and other horrendous atrocities, especially in parts of the North are not only induced, but politicized by disgruntled politicians and campaigners seeking to administer Nigeria from the backdoor, as typified by their constant sermons for the sack of serving Service Chiefs.   

Quite belatedly, we have realized, underestimated and improperly decoded the indignation and penchant of these forces for evil against us. They have marshalled series of evil plots.

After the instigated acts of insecurity, they also proceed to hire emergency and aberrant civil society sects for public protests in the prosecution of their Plan “B” in worsening insecurity in the country. Miscreants, hoodlums and social deviants under different guise are massively recruited to execute these plots.

Therefore, with every attempt the Government of President Buhari makes in blighting the fire of insecurities in the country, these agents of darkness, some of whom are backed by foreign forces, resuscitate new plots to cause more Internal Security (IS) breaches for the country and our citizens.  

The intention is to discredit the administration of President Buhari; blur the successes our Service Chiefs have recorded in containing insecurities’ in order to find public justification to compel Mr. President to sack his hard working and dedicated security team.

These antics are no longer strange to us and we are calling on the masterminds to be careful, least the actions they embark upon triggers unsavoury counter-reactions from Nigerians. Security is our collective responsibility and, in this sector, every Nigerian is a sentinel over his life, domain and community.  

Let us resolve to work closely with security agents to rout out armed bandits, terrorists and militias in our communities. The erroneous posturing or notion that security is the sole responsibility of the President or a Governor has created fertile grounds for the promoters of this evil against our people and country. To thrive. We cannot exhibit this ignorance forever.  

There is every need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders towards tackling the security challenges, particularly in the Northern part of the country.  We should not allow our enemies and detractors overwhelm us, to destroy or ruin our communities, because highly placed politicians are desperate to push a portrait of their perfectibility as better leaders, had Nigerians entrusted them with leadership.

To this end, we strongly condemn actions by some individuals who are dancing to the tunes of these demonic souls and anti-democratic forces. It is clear to us that they scheme to throw the country into total chaos and lawlessness by sponsoring violence, killings and at the same time, inducing youths to embark on protests against the country’s leadership after unconscionably dismissing every effort made in this regard. 

The manner of the latest protests baffled infinitely. Youths were sighted freely mingling in the season of Covid-19 in total disregard for social-distancing protocols and the deliberate refusal to wear Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) such as face masks and so forth. It only justifies the artificiality of the public protests and the random recruitment of youths to cause tension and further destructions.

Nevertheless, these machinations cannot blindfold us against the genuine intentions of President Buhari to ensure the security and safety of every Nigerian wherever he is domiciled in the country. Needless to stress or we contented to express with every modicum of confidence that the administration cherishes the life of every citizen and has done so much in this dimension in the last five years. 

We are compelled to acknowledge the efforts of Mr. President in taming insecurities in the country and pour these eulogies on him not just because he is one of our own. But it is ennobled by the plain and indisputable fact that he has done well considering the quantum of challenges which his administration inherited on coming on board and his skillful management of it to this hour. Conversely, we appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of leaders of our security architecture and security agents for sustaining the counter-fire against armed criminals terrorizing our country and the citizens, despite the deliberate frustrations to belittle their efforts. They have done so much to ensure our citizens and territorial integrity is protected from invaders and aggressors. The only option we have is to embolden to get to the targeted destination.

At this juncture, we are morally obligated to specially acknowledge our beloved security agents who have paid the supreme price for the unity and stability of the country and the safety of others. We are convinced absolutely that their sacrifices will never be in vain and Nigeria will surely overpower the gangs of armed criminals amassed against it.

Lastly, we pledge the total support of all citizens to the security agencies and the leadership of the country; as we reiterate the call for a unified front for us to surmount the various security challenges. We advise youths who have offered themselves for recruitment as foot soldiers  in prosecuting  these devilish plots hatched by politicians against the peace and security of our nation to desist forthwith.

Thank you.

Insecurity: CALSER scores Farouq high on FG’s humanitarian activities

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has expressed satisfaction with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, for her handling of the Federal Government’s assistance to victims of humanitarian crisis in the country. 

The centre gave this commendation in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Abubakar Gana, on Sunday. 

According to Ajibola, the creation of the ministry and the choice of Hajiya Farouq will ultimately go down as one of the legacies of President Muhammadu. 

 CALSER said it has so far monitored the humanitarian issues in Nigeria occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorists, flooding in some parts of the country and other forms of natural and human-made disasters in the country and expressed satisfaction. 

It further disclosed that the minister has done ” brilliantly well in not just nurturing a new ministry, but also ensuring that it hits the ground running in the fulfilment of its vision to have social protection systems that are proactive, humane, inclusive and sustainable for the improvement and general welfare of the people”. 

The centre lauded the ministry for intervening in mitigating the effect of the Boko Haram crisis in the North-East by ensuring that those displaced by the disaster are adequately covered in the FG’s social safety net initiatives.  

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, CALSER noted that Hajiya Farouq ensured that palliatives are distributed in a transparent and accountable manner to the vulnerable in the country. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, however, warned those against the interest of the country to stay clear of the ministry, vowing to resist any smear campaign against the personality of the minister. 

Read full statement below:

In response to effectively addressing the various humanitarian crisis in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari established the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of National and International humanitarian interventions; ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response; and manage the formulation and implementation of fair focused social inclusion and protection programs in Nigeria.

The creation of this all-inclusive ministry was widely applauded by the generality of Nigerians, which was an indication that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed concerned about the plight of those affected by the humanitarian crisis in the country and the urgent need to have laudable programmes and policy that would address these challenges, and in an effective and timely manner too.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights having followed the various humanitarian issues in Nigeria occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorist group, flooding in some parts of the country and other forms of natural and human-made disasters in the country, wishes to express its satisfaction with the way and manner these issues have been addressed by the government through the various interventions of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

This in our considered opinion dwelled on the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Hajia  Sadiya Umar Farouq to lead this interventionist ministry and so far using all measurement parameters she has done brilliantly well in not just nurturing a new ministry, but also ensuring that it hits the ground running in the fulfilment of its vision to have social protection systems that are proactive, humane, inclusive and sustainable for the improvement and general welfare of the people.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state that Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq has indeed proven herself as a square peg in a square hole through her innovative approaches to handling the various humanitarian crises in the country.  It goes further to bring to the fore that indeed there exist some Nigerians that are burning with passion for the growth and development of the country. It, therefore, suffices to state that the Honorable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is in that category of Nigerians burning with that passion and desire to make Nigeria great again.

This fact can be seen in the way and manner the ministry has been able to intervene in mitigating the effect of the Boko Haram crisis in North-East Nigeria by ensuring that those displaced by the disaster are adequately covered in the federal government’s social safety net initiatives.  

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under the watch of Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq has indeed transformed the responsiveness of the federal government to disaster management in the country. 

The way and manner the federal government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown of some parts of the country where millions of vulnerable persons benefited from the federal government’s cash transfer intervention programme under the supervision of the Honorable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development was brilliant and indeed worthy of commendation. 

The Honorable Minister indeed proved how honourable she is, with the transparent and accountable manner; the COVID-19 palliatives of the federal government were distributed amongst the vulnerable groups in the country. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights acknowledges the numerous interventionist efforts of the Honorable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in this era of economic hardship brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. 

This is also on the heels that the federal government has also responded well to other humanitarian issues of concern across the country through the various agencies under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights acknowledges the fact that the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has lived up to expectation by providing that sound leadership in this critical sector in Nigeria and this critical period.

It is, therefore, succinct to state that the Honorable Minister has indeed highlighted through her actions that great and giant strides can be achieved in the growth and development of Nigeria through purposeful leadership. 

We also wish to state that her ability and drive towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in any part of the country within record time tells a lot about her sincerity of heart and purpose and also a manifestation of the confidence reposed in her by President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights thanks President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a selfless and dedicated amazon in Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq to lead the critical sector of providing humanitarian aids to victims of conflicts, disasters and other forms of economic exclusions in the country.  

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to use this medium to advise those against the interest of the country to stay clear of the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as she carries her mandate of promoting human dignity and integration of basic humane benevolence and compassion in the treatment of all Nigerians. 

The Center for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights shall resist any form of smear campaign against the personality of Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq to cause a distraction. These set of individuals and organizations should have a rethink and toe the path of patriotism in the overall interest of the country and those Nigerians that dot the nook and crannies of the country and in dire need of government intervention in their daily lives. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights herby commends the response to Humanitarian crisis in Nigeria and the invaluable role of the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Security: Kaduna Biu Community Commends Nigerian Army, Gen Buratai

The Biu Community in Kaduna State has commended the Nigerian Army under the examplary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai for tireless and laudable efforts in ensuring security for Nigeria.

They expressed this on Saturday in Kaduna at a ceremony organised to console him on the death of his mother which occured recently.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Alhaji Bawa Garba (ABG), who is the patron of the association in Kaduna, said that Gen Buratai’s commitment to the peace, security and unity of Nigeria is unprecedented in the annals of Nigerian Army history.

Alhaji ABG said, “It is a big pride to Biu Community, Borno State and Nigeria as a whole to have visionary, selfless and committed leader and chief of Army Staff like Gen TY Buratai especially at the trying period of our country’s existence.,” he said.

Speaking further, he said no Chief of Army Staff in the history of Nigeria has recorded the numerous achievements that General Buratai has so far achieved. For an officer of this sterling qualities, Nigerians should appreciate his examplary efforts in securing Nigeria despite occasional hitches here and there. “The condition he met the Army and the scarce resources at his disposal as well as how he overcome obvious shortcomings without complain deserve our collective commendation not Vilification” he further stated.

“Another success we are particularly proud of is the success behind the establishment of the Nigerian Army University Biu, which without him, it wouldn’t have been possible.” We therefore thank President Muhammadu Buhari for granting the approval for the Army University Biu”.

In his response, General Buratai who was represented by the Acting Director Army Public Relations Colonel Sagir Musa thanked the community for their prayers and condolence message for the death of Gen Buratai’s mother, while assuring that the Nigerian Army is highly resolute and committed to overcome terrorism and other security challenges across the nation.

He commended the Biu Association/Babur Bura in Kaduna State for their unity and commitment to the welfare of their members.

“The community here in Kaduna has a rich history behind it. For almost 100 years, we have a building where our common heritage in the areas of living accommodation and a secretariat are based. Let me state that we have had many illustrious sons and daughters of Biu community in different walks of life, but no one cares to assist in renovating this historical edifice until when we seek for assistance from Gen Buratai which he favorably responded. It is therefore to his credit that part of this building is now renovated. This building is for Biu community and it is meant to ensure anybody from Biu coming to Kaduna without a place to put his head could be accommodated to such a period when he is able to get his own accommodation, Alh ABG stated.

General Buratai further thanks the leaders of the association for their prayers and goodwill for the Nigerian Army and conveyed the readiness of the Army under Lt Gen TY Buratai to overcome the security challenges facing Nigeria. He states that Gen Buratai is a humane, courageous, visionary and firm military leader whose major preoccupation is to see the speedy end of terrorism and other insecurities in Nigeria.

Security : How Monguno is Dragging the Service Chiefs Behind

By Emmanuel Okoye

One thing you cannot take away from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Mohammed Babagana Monguno (rtd), is the fact that he is not totally unaware of the challenges hampering the security of the nation.

The retired Major General and old boy of Kings College, Lagos, who is experienced in military intelligence though an Engineer by training, most times is able to identify security challenges in the nation.

But the problem is whether he would do anything about the problem other than blame others for what is happening.

That was exactly what Monguno did when he led a delegation to commiserate with Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State over the recent bandits attack in the state.

He told the Sokoto State governor while on the visit, that fighting security is not dependent on individual attempts but is dependent on the collective effort of all stakeholders.

To press home the point, the NSA on Thursday, while also addressing the media on the security meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held with service chiefs and heads of security agencies also said that the President had among others things, harped on the need for synergy among the armed forces and security agencies.

He said, “Finally, is about the issue of lack of synergy within the security sector. This has to be addressed also and has left us in no doubt that unless we address this issue and form a single front, the convergence of efforts, the confluence of all ideas be they operational or intelligence, must be achieved so that we no longer if at all there was this notion that groups were working in silos or stockpiling, they desist from that with immediate effect. We must have a central platform to coordinate all the efforts, all operations and security.”

The NSA was to further explain to the media in another interaction in Hausa that the sevice chiefs are expected to streamline their efforts through a central authority and not be seen running to the president individually.

But the only problem is that while the NSA does not pretend he does not know what the problems are, he also fails to distinguish between genuine commitment to national interest as opposed to promoting his personal interest. From indications he prefers the latter.

Anybody aware of how the security agencies in Nigeria have worked in the last five years, would not fail to see the contradiction between what the NSA is saying and what he does.

It has become public knowledge that while all the arms of the armed forces as well as security agencies in the country have at various times teamed up to address certain security concerns and challenges, the one aspect that has been consistently missing in the equation is the input from the office of the National Security Adviser.

The armed forces, made up of the army, airforce and navy have in collaboration with the police, the DSS, NSCDC and other agencies worked together or fight criminality, banditry, insurgency and other security threats in the country.

Outfits such as Operations Crocodile Smiles, Sharan Daji, Harbin Kunama, Ayen Akpatuma, Whirl Stroke, Safe Haven and others, which were established along the line, are all joint efforts of the various security agencies which have produced enormous results.

But as these efforts are made, one can hardly single out the input of the NSA.

While the NSA is conspicuously missing from the battlefield, however, his presence looms large on the arena as he engages in turf and media wars. In other words, the NSA is more concerned about increasing the powers of his office than join hands with others to fight insecurity in the country.

The few instances there’s an intervention from the office of the NSA which the public became aware of, hardly had anything to do with the issues of security bedeviling the nation, but borne out of ego and fight for space.

In December, Monguno came out to confront the then Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari over a lucrative contract for the procurement of defence equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.

Monguno, tackled Kyari, for allegedly overriding a previous directive of the president in a contract to procure equipment for the police from the United Arab Emirates.

In the letter that was addressed to the police affairs minister and police inspector-general, Monguno, described Mr Kyari’s action as “reckless and irresponsible”, warning that it was capable of ridiculing Nigeria as an unserious nation before a reliable international partner.

The NSA said only himself, as the head of multiple national security panels, and the defence minister have constitutional roles to act on security matters.

Not long after that, Monguno, in a letter, accused Abba Kyari of undue and dangerous interference on matters bordering on national security and wrote a warning memo to all service chiefs to desist from taking further directives from Mr Kyari.

He, in the letter said Mr Kyari’s directives to service chiefs were sometimes issued without the knowledge or approval of the president.

He wrote, “Chief of staff to the president is not a presiding head of security, neither is he sworn to an oath of defending the country.

“As such, unprofessional practices such as presiding over meetings with service chiefs and heads of security organisations as well as ambassadors and high commissioners to the exclusion of the NSA and/or supervising ministers are a violation of the Constitution and directly undermine the authority of Mr President.

“Such acts and continuous meddlesomeness by chief of staff have not only ruptured our security and defence efforts, but have slowed down any meaningful gain that Mr President has sought to chieve.”

The letters would not be the first time, Monguno would be seen fighting to expand his areas of influence as NSA.

In 2016, Monguno was locked in a fierce rift with the former director-general of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Lawal Daura, until the latter was removed from office.

Many are disappointed with the way Monguno is carrying out his job given that he was highly recommended for the position due to his training and experience in intelligence.

But despite having the benefits of learning from the mistakes of his predecessors Monguno seems bent on repeating them.

When former President Goodluck Jonathan sacked General Andrew Azazi as his National Security Adviser, it was partly because Azazi was said to have become more obsessed with the office of the NSA and was apparently doing more to protect himself in office than the job for which he was hired

Hence it was easy for the former President to accuse him of using the same strategies repeatedly at a time the tactics of Boko Haram militants were changing.

No doubt, many see Monguno as not moving away from this path as his reported experience in intelligence has not been brought to bear on the security situation in Nigeria.

He is an NSA that would rather be bothered about the President receiving security information first hand from the service chiefs than knock out a strategy that would hinder the operations of insurgents in the country.

He would rather be bothered about protocol and bureaucratic niceties rather than the drastic and pragmatic essence of winning the fight against insurgency.

This is in spite of the huge allocation to his office for the purpose of securing the nation as the National Assembly increased the spending plans of the office with N25 billion budget largese in addition to the earlier N2 billion to the office for the year 2020.

Another reason why the choice of Monguno seemed apt at the beginning was because he is not only from Borno State but from Monguno, one of the local governments being ravaged by the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

People expected that with his knowledge of the area, he would take pragmatic steps and go beyond what former President Olusegun Obasanjo had done by travelling to Maiduguri and engaging the terrorists in dialogue. But no such thing had been forthcoming from the NSA who has exhibited only a little or no sign that he is even from the place since he became the NSA.

People expect the NSA who is clearly lagging behind in the security equation and who by default is dragging others behind to forget about fighting turf wars at least for now and bring his experience to the theatres of operation. That is one of the ways Nigeria can win the war against insurgency and terrorism and not be shifting blames as he does always.

Okoye is a public affairs analyst and wrote from Lagos and could be contacted at emmanuelokoye46464@outlook.com

End the charade in APC, Oyegun tells Buhari, govs

The former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has called for the institution of a caretaker committee to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis in the ruling party.

APC has been plunged into leadership crisis since the Appeallate Court upheld the suspension of the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the FCT High Court.

While the Deputy National Secretary, Chief Victor Giadom is having a court order to oversee the party as the National Chairman in Acting capacity, some other National Working Committee (NWC) members of the party say the Deputy National Chairman South, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is the Acting National Chairman.

However, Oyegun said the party should invoke the doctrine of necessity that would provide for a caretaker committee that would put to rest to all agitations.

Oyegun in a statement Saturday in Abuja titled: “Before it is too late,” said, “there is a most urgent need for the party National Executive Committee (NEC) to meet and institute for the party a Caretaker Committee (even if we have to invoke the doctrine of necessity), whose main responsibility will be to arrange for a special National Convention.

“The All Progressives Congress was built on the blood and sweat of Nigerians, young and old, too numerous to count, who were willing to give everything in the service of progressive politics. We must not allow their great sacrifices to go in vain. Today, almost every member of the party feels a deep sense of alienation and dissatisfaction with the state of the party. It hurts deeply to see how hollow it now rings to mention our party and “change” together.”

He therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rise up to the responsibility of saving APC to save his legacies as a President.

According to him, of all the things the former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida did, history only remembers him for June 12, 1992 elections.

“As former National Chairman of the party, I remain proud of the great strides of our government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. However, I am afraid to note that the legacy of a government is defined mostly by its politics rather than its achievements in other areas, no matter how lofty those achievements are. Our recent history bears enough testimony to this reality. The military government of President Ibrahim Babangida is today remembered mainly for the June 12, 1993 elections and its aftermath. Our own political party, the APC, is fast becoming the single most dangerous threat to the legacy of our government and our President,” Oyegun quipped.

Oyegun, retrospecting on the formation of APC said, “when we decided in 2012 to build a political coalition of progressives, we were driven by a deep sense of patriotism to rescue our country and a strong commitment to salvage our democracy.

“We believed at the time that the ship of our country was headed for the rocks. Therefore, the significant progressive opposition parties and indeed all men and women of goodwill joined forces, not only to bring it back on course but also to set it on a completely different trajectory that would restore the hopes of our people and make every Nigerian proud of this great country again.

“We approached Nigerians with the promise of change that resonated widely across the country. Based on our promise of change, the people voted against the ruling party in a collective political action that was unprecedented in our nation’s history. Never before had our people’s hopes been so raised. It is my fervent prayers that in a few years from now, we do not look back and say never before have a people’s hope been so dashed.

“In the last few months we have watched how the party has brazenly subverted its own principles of internal democracy and flagrant violation of every rule of decent political engagement in a manner that makes everyone associated with its promise of change liable to be accused of either hypocrisy or apostasy.

“We must therefore remember that our victory in the 2015 Presidential elections and the peaceful transfer of power that followed was a major testament of progress in our nation’s journey towards real democracy. This unprecedented democratic achievement has since inspired progressive forces all over Africa and has become a standard by which democracy is measured in the rest of the continent. Unfortunately, it appears that while other countries around us have marched ahead in the democratic journey, we have largely regressed. Because we were the political party that benefitted from a system that offered the opposition a chance, everyone expected us to show unwavering dedication to broaden the democratic space for everyone; to ensure that equity and justice take precedence over all other considerations and to ensure that our party truly functions as the vehicle for aggregating and managing contending political interests. Unfortunately, what we have witnessed from our party is the steady erosion of even the very basic tenets of democratic principles in a manner that could turn our watershed victory of 2015 to the waterloo of our hard won democracy.

“As a major stakeholder and as a founding member of the All Progressives Congress, I have made various efforts to add my voice to those of several other well-meaning leaders of the party, in ensuring that the ideals and principles that we fought for are not completely thrown overboard. However, I have come to realise that those who feel more entitled to the party are no longer capable of hearing alternative viewpoints other than those counselled by their ego and their self-serving interests, which they have promoted over all other considerations, including that of common decency. Yet, no political party will survive for long, which is unwilling to accommodate competing ideas and provide the space for healthy debates.

“This statement is therefore a clarion call to leaders of the party, particularly the Governors and Mr. President to urgently bring a stop to the disgraceful and humiliating charade occurring within the National Secretariat of our great party.”

Summon NEC now, APC spokesman urges Buhari, reveals Giadom’s sponsors

The Deputy National Publicity Secretrary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yekini Nabena, has called for an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be convened by President Muhammadu Buhari to address the leadership crisis rocking the party and deliberate on consolidating the APC’s control of Edo and Ondo States ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections.

“The APC is clearly at a tipping point,” Nabena told newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

The APC deputy spokesman also accused Victor Giadom who is claiming the chairmanship of the APC of acting the script of his sponsors and fifth columnists.

“Atleast four people are laying claim to the chairmanship of the APC following the court-ordered suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. All manner of Court cases and orders are flying around contesting party decisions and National Working Committee positions. Factions are festering at the national level and many states. The APC is clearly at a tipping point.

“The several court cases and orders over the national leadership of the party has put the party in a standstill and is a legal threat to forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo States. President Muhammadu Buhari is the leader of the party and it has become imperative for him to convene an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee to find solutions to the crisis and chart a way forward.” Nabena stated.

While responding to the claim by Victor Giadim to the position of acting National Chairman, the Bayelsa born APC chieftain said: “Not too long ago, Victor Giadom claimed the position of the National Secretary now he is claiming the chairmanship. It is unfortunate that Victor Giadom is being used as a destabilizing agent by fifth columnists. On what ground is Victor Giadom claiming chairmanship of the Party when he long ceased to be a member of the National Working Committee following his resignation to contest as the Rivers State Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2019 elections. Whatever waiver Victor Giadom is brandishing cannot stand as the Constitution and INEC guidelines require resignation from public office to contest general elections, which Victor Giadom did by resigning as Deputy National Secretary.

“The same Victor Giadom and his sponsors are already engaging in anti-party activities through their continued support of Governor Godwin Obaseki despite formerly joining the Peoples Democratic Party to contest the Edo State Governorship election.

“The National Judicial Council should investigate boasts by sponsors of Victor Giadom, a minister and north central governor that they are in control of the Court of Appeal and are already using it to further their selfish interest and sabotage the APC.

“As I have always said, personal interest must never override Party interest. The APC is nobody’s personal property. I call on our dear President to accede to the request by majority of well-meaning party members and leaders and convene an emergency NEC meeting to address the leadership crisis and deliberate on consolidating the APC’s control of Edo and Ondo States ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections.” Nabena said.