Rita Odafe
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
A demand has been made by House of Representatives member Abdulsamad Dasuki for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove all his security sector appointees following the escalating insecurity in the country. Dasuki believes these appointees have not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians.
During a discussion on a motion denouncing a recent suicide bombing in Borno State, sponsored by Ahmed Jaha, Dasuki expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of the President’s appointees in handling the security challenges.
Dasuki mentioned that the President appointed several individuals from the northern region to address the insecurity issues in the North but they have not effectively tackled the situation. He emphasized the need for accountability and suggested that the President should dismiss all his political appointees in the security sector.
“In the last year since we have been inaugurated, no one has been relieved of their duties. It is time to hold people accountable. It is time to find a scapegoat, which is justifiable. These individuals have not met the expectations. The President stated that he appointed northerners to these roles to protect their people. That was his intention.
“Every day, we are faced with numerous security challenges. We should call on the President to let go of all security-related political appointees. They have all been in their positions for ten months. Politically appointed security officials should be replaced,” he stated.
Among the northern political appointees mentioned are Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, Minister of Police Ibrahim Gaidam, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and others.
In response to the debate, Chairman of the House Committee on Navy Yusuf Gagdi objected to the notion that the security sector was predominantly assigned to northerners, noting that Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja are southerners.
After deliberations, the House agreed to condemn the bombing incident and tasked the Committee on National Security and Intelligence to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
