Renowned author and activist, Reno Omokri, has highlighted the paradoxical nature of the country’s security situation despite having former military Generals at the helm of affairs.
He was reacting to a comment by a former senator, Shehu Sani, who had earlier attacked the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, over his choice of a politician as defence minister.
Sani claimed that that the ministry should have been given to a retired military officer with records of accomplishments.
Tweeting, Sani wrote: “In view of the security challenges faced by this country, I thought the Defence Minister should be a retired Military officer with experience and records of accomplishments.
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“That office shouldn’t be just political, especially at this time.”
Recall that President Tinubu unveiled his ministers recently and announced the former governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar Defence minister designate.
However, while disagreeing with Sani, Omokri argued that the definition of insanity is to continue doing the same things and expecting different results.
He pointed out that both President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military General and Head of State, and Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, a retired General, failed to improve the security situation in the country.
Citing the Global Terrorism Index for 2023, Omokri drew attention to the fact that countries governed by the military, such as Burkina Faso and Mali, are experiencing alarming levels of insecurity. He further highlighted Niger’s regression in the Index since the military took over, with recent jihadist attacks claiming the lives of 14 soldiers.
Omokri also examined Nigeria’s own history, pointing out that civilian-led Defence Ministries have historically provided more effective security outcomes. He referred to the Niger Delta militancy, which began under the leadership of ex-General TY Danjuma as Minister of Defence but ended when civilian Yayale Ahmed assumed the position.
He wrote:
Dear Distinguished Senator @ShehuSani,
We had a former military General and Head of State as President and a retired General as Minister of Defence under Buhari, and our security worsened. The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things and expect different results.
If Buhari and Bashir Magashi only worsened the situation, then perhaps it is right to change them.
If you look at the Global Terrorism Index for 2023, the countries experiencing the most insecurity are nations governed by the military, including Burkina Faso (#2) and Mali (#4).
Niger was making progress on the Global Terrorism Index until the military took over, and two days ago, Jihadists killed 14 Nigerien soldiers.
If you look at our history, we have had more security when civilians headed the Defence Ministry than when soldiers. Niger Delta militancy began under TY Danjuma, an ex-General, as Minister of Defence and ended when a civilian, Yayale Ahmed, took over. Boko Haram insurgency started when a former General, Godwin Abbe, was Defence minister and is only now easing under Nuhu Ribadu as NSA.
Let these ex-military guys give others a chance, and then we can compare and contrast.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
