By Our Correspondent
Two prominent socio-cultural organisations—the Niger Delta Solidarity Forum (NDSF) and the Oodua People’s Network (OPN)—have sharply condemned the call by Senator Francis Fadahunsi urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The groups, in separate statements issued on Thursday, described Senator Fadahunsi’s position as “unwarranted, outdated, shallow and lacking understanding of modern security realities.”
Niger Delta Solidarity Forum: “Nigeria Needs Results, Not Outdated Arguments”
In its statement signed by Barr. Andrew Mene (Chairman), Chief Rowland Abarasi Tamunopiri (Secretary), and Chief Umukoro Joseph Erhimeyoma (Publicity Secretary), the NDSF faulted Fadahunsi’s suggestion, insisting that modern security leadership goes far beyond military credentials.
The forum argued that combating contemporary threats—including terrorism, cybercrime, intelligence gaps, and inter-agency coordination—requires “strategic intelligence, multi-disciplinary experience, and policy depth, all of which Ribadu has demonstrated in the past two years.”
They urged the senator to review the track records of past non-military NSAs like Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta and Ismaila Gwarzo, who served with distinction.
“Senator Fadahunsi’s suggestion amounts to gross politicisation of security appointments. Nigeria needs results, not recycled arguments rooted in outdated assumptions. Modern security requires intellect, intelligence capability and coordination—not military uniforms.”
The forum stressed that global democracies routinely appoint civilians, technocrats, and intelligence professionals as National Security Advisers, citing examples from the U.S., U.K., Canada and India.
“Security today is intelligence-driven, analysis-driven, and coordination-driven. Ribadu represents the future of national security leadership.”
Oodua People’s Network: “A Senator Should Know Better”
The OPN, in a strongly worded statement signed by Chief Olasupo Bamidele (President), Chief Emmanuel Adesokan (National Secretary), and Mr. Kehinde Olasope (Director of Organisation), expressed shock at Senator Fadahunsi’s position.
The group questioned why the senator chose to air such a sensitive matter publicly instead of using formal channels available to him as a federal lawmaker.
“It is disturbing that a distinguished senator would throw a matter as sensitive as national security into the court of public opinion rather than communicate with the President through proper channels.”
They emphasized that the NSA role is not the exclusive preserve of military officers, recalling that the office had been successfully occupied by distinguished non-military figures such as Gambo Jimeta and Ismaila Gwarzo.
“Between 1999 and 2023, six military officers held the position at various times, yet the nation’s security challenges persisted. Therefore, restricting the NSA office to retired military officers reflects a poor understanding of national security.”
The OPN also highlighted Ribadu’s recent diplomatic achievements, citing his leadership of Nigeria’s delegation to the U.S. following the CPC designation, where his engagement reportedly helped ease tensions.
“His global network, intelligence background and diplomatic acumen earned Nigeria a more favourable disposition from the U.S. government. That is competence, not rank.”
The group called on Senator Fadahunsi to exercise greater discretion befitting his office.
Conclusion
Both organisations reaffirmed their support for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, describing him as “the right man for the job at a time Nigeria faces complex and evolving security threats.”
“Security is no longer about uniforms—it is about intelligence, strategy and results. On that score, Ribadu speaks loudest,” the Niger Delta and Oodua groups concluded.
