Two prominent civil society groups have strongly rejected a call by Senator Francis Fadahunsi for President Bola Tinubu to sack the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and replace him with a retired military officer.
Senator Fadahunsi (Osun East), in a statement on Wednesday, urged the President to “reorganise the nation’s security management team by appointing a retired military officer as the National Security Adviser,” suggesting Ribadu be redeployed.
However, the Oodua Peoples Network (OPN) and the Niger Delta Stakeholders’ Forum (NDSF) have issued statements faulting the senator’s suggestion, defending Ribadu’s competence and civilian background.
“The position of the NSA is not the exclusive reserve of serving or retired military officers. It is open to all competent Nigerians whom the president has confidence in,” the OPN stated. They argued that some of Nigeria’s most effective past security coordinators were not military officers and cited global examples where civilians successfully hold such roles.
The NDSF called the senator’s view “outdated,” stating that “modern security challenges…require not just military experience but strategic intelligence, inter-agency coordination and policy depth, all of which Ribadu has demonstrated.”
Both groups highlighted Ribadu’s pedigree as a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and his recent diplomatic engagement with the United States as evidence of his strategic value.
“Security is no longer about who can wear a uniform; it’s about who can analyse threats, dismantle complex criminal networks and coordinate civilian and military structures effectively,” the NDSF argued.
The groups urged leaders to support ongoing security reforms rather than politicize security appointments based on “old stereotypes.”
Disclaimer:
This article reports on opposing political viewpoints regarding a key national security appointment. CDA News presents these arguments factually and does not endorse the position of any group or politician mentioned.
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