President Tinubu Urged To Ignore Calls To Sack Ribadu
•By Admin
ABUJA – PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to ignore calls to sack the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu over insecurity in the country.
Two major socio-cultural groups—the Oodua Peoples’ Network (OPN) and the Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF)—have taken a hard swipe at Osun East Senator, Francis Fadahunsi, over his call for President Tinubu to dismiss Ribadu.
Fadahunsi had insisted that Ribadu, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, should be replaced by a retired military officer, a position the two groups described as retrogressive and harmful to ongoing national security efforts.
The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum was the first to punch back, saying the senator’s comment betrays a shallow grasp of what modern security leadership demands.
In a statement jointly signed by Chairman Barr. Andrew Mene, Secretary Roland Abarasi Tamunopiri and Publicity Secretary Umukoro Joseph Erhimeyoma, the group argued that today’s security threats require brains, coordination and intelligence—not rank worship.
They maintained that terrorism, cybercrime, intelligence integration and transnational crime networks demand a leader with strategic sophistication, qualities Ribadu has “consistently demonstrated.”
According to the forum:
“Ribadu’s track record as former EFCC Chairman and his longstanding involvement in security and governance reforms show that effective leadership is not defined by military background, but by competence, integrity and the ability to integrate intelligence with security operations.”
They stressed that Tinubu’s appointment aligns with global standards, noting that leading democracies routinely appoint civilians, technocrats or intelligence professionals—not just ex-generals—to the NSA position.
The forum added:
“Security is no longer about who wears a uniform; it is about who can analyse threats, dismantle complex networks, and coordinate civilian and military institutions effectively. Senator Fadahunsi’s argument belongs to the past.”
They pointed to countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and India as examples where NSAs are predominantly civilians and intelligence experts.
The Oodua Peoples’ Network also pushed back forcefully.
In a statement signed by President Chief Olasupo Bamidele, Secretary Chief Emmanuel Adesokan and Director of Organisation Kehinde Olasope, the group dismissed Fadahunsi’s call as “simplistic and dangerously out of touch with global realities.”
OPN argued that Nigeria’s complex security terrain requires intelligence depth, integrity and inter-agency synergy—not military nostalgia.
According to OPN: “Ribadu brings to the table far more than a badge or a uniform ever could. His record in dismantling criminal networks, fighting corruption, and coordinating intelligence frameworks places him far ahead of outdated rank-based assumptions.”
The group said the country’s current hybrid threats—banditry, kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, cyber-crime and terrorism—demand leaders who possess strategic thinking and the capacity for policy coherence.
They added that global powers long abandoned rank-based selection for national security roles because modern threats require diplomacy, robust intelligence gathering, interoperability and civilian oversight.
Both organisations reminded Senator Fadahunsi that the National Security Adviser’s role has never been the exclusive domain of military personnel.
They cited the examples of Late Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta, a retired Inspector General of Police who served as Coordinator of National Security (1990–1993), and Alh. Ismaila Gwarzo, an experienced intelligence officer who succeeded him from 1993 to 1998—both widely regarded as effective.
The two groups warned that Nigeria is navigating a difficult security phase and needs unity, responsible commentary and constructive contributions—not divisive political posturing.
They reaffirmed their support for President Tinubu’s choice of Ribadu, describing him as the “most competent, credible and strategically equipped” for the job.
They further declared:
“What Nigeria needs now is results, not recycled arguments. The nation must rally behind efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance operational synergy, and secure sustainable peace.”
The groups therefore urged political leaders to refrain from politicising security matters and to channel their energy towards nation-building.