Erasmus Ikhide’s piece on Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is a mix
of fiction and deliberate misinterpretation and misrepresentation. His argument
is simple: Ribadu is unfit for the office of the National Security Adviser
(NSA) because he once investigated corrupt politicians and now serves in an
administration that includes some of them. I think this line of thought is
vague and empty besides being dishonest.
Ribadu was appointed as NSA based on his track record
in law enforcement and security strategy. Many know that he has been working to
reshape the country’s security architecture. That is why his critics are
uneasy. They want to discredit him and create a security crisis to weaken the
Tinubu government ahead of 2027. This is the same old tactic that was used
against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Ikhide questions Ribadu’s competence by accusing him
of playing politics instead of fixing security challenges. How?. Is security
not a long-term battle? Is it a one-day affair? The fight against insurgency
has seen significant gains under Ribadu’s watch. The military has reclaimed
lost territories, and criminal elements are being dismantled. To suggest that
Ribadu is not doing enough iis pure mischief.
The attack on Ribadu’s meeting with Ogoni leaders is
another red herring. The NSA’s role includes engaging with various groups to
prevent security threats. If he met with Ogoni leaders, it was in the nation’s
interest. There is no evidence that the meeting was meant to exclude critical
stakeholders.
Ikhide also criticizes Ribadu’s reaction to Canada’s
visa denial for the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. But was
Ribadu wrong to express his frustration? Nigeria deserves respect on the global
stage. A blanket denial of visas to key security personnel is an insult to the
nation. Ribadu’s response, though blunt, reflects the frustration of a country
tired of being treated with contempt.
The claim that the Nigerian military has failed to use
modern technology is another misleading argument. The military has invested in
surveillance, intelligence gathering, and drone technology. The fight against
terrorism is evolving, and so are Nigeria’s strategies. The idea that only
“eminent professors on counterterrorism” should lead the NSA is laughable.
Security is about practical experience, not academic theories.
Ribadu’s appointment as NSA was not a “reward for an
old favor,” as Ikhide suggests. It was a strategic decision. His background in
law enforcement, anti-corruption, and counterterrorism made him the right
choice. The critics pushing for his removal have an agenda. They want to
destabilize the security structure to create an atmosphere of fear and
insecurity.
At the core of this attack on Ribadu is a larger
political game. Some forces are desperate to unseat the APC in 2027. They are
laying the groundwork by undermining key government figures. Ribadu is a prime
target because he stands in the way of their plans. They want chaos. They want
a crisis they can exploit for political gain.
But Nigerians are watching. They see the security
improvements. They know that terrorism has been pushed back, kidnappers are
being arrested, and crime networks are being dismantled. The false narratives
being pushed by Ribadu’s critics will not change these facts.
Ribadu is not perfect, but he is committed to making
Nigeria safer. The desperate attempts to smear him will fail. His detractors
should focus on constructive criticism, not political propaganda disguised as
concern for national security.
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