"Group Urges Support for Defence Minister, Says Call for Sack Absurd"

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement (NSNCM) has expressed support for the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, and rejected a recent call for a vote of no confidence in his leadership. The group described the call for the minister's sack as "absurd and obscene," arguing that the Minister of Defence and his lieutenants can only process and act on security issues based on what state governments or zones bring to the Security Council meeting table.

In a press statement signed by its National President, Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, the NSNCM stated that it has resisted indulging in the outburst of the North West Development Vanguard (NWDV) over the issue of "Vote of No Confidence" in the Minister of Defence. The group emphasized that it is engaging not out of prejudice but in the spirit of cohesion to build a better country through positive collaboration.

The NSNCM highlighted that there are some ministries, departments, and agencies that are not replicated at state levels , noting that these are the sole prerogative of the federal government. The group cited the Ministries of Interior, External Affairs, and Defence as examples, emphasizing that executive governors at the state level serve as "Chief Security and Administrative" officers.

"We question whether the NWDV is insinuating that the Executive Governors of the states mentioned lack the capacity to keep their states in order," the group said. The NSNCM acknowledged that insecurity exists in some states but emphasized that these issues should be tackled at the state level, with support from the federal government.

The group commended Alhaji Badaru for his exemplary leadership style and achievements since his inception in office. "The NSNCM emphasized that the security architecture of the country needs constant review due to dynamic changes globally," the statement read.

The NSNCM praised the current security configuration in Nigeria, describing the appointment of Badaru Abubakar and Bello Matawalle as Ministers, Nuhu Ribadu as NSA, General CG Musa, and the Service Chiefs as a positive development. 

"We urge civil society organizations to provide constructive criticism and support the government's efforts to address security challenges," the NSNCM said. "The NSNCM rejects the call for the Minister of Defence's sack, describing it as absurd and obscene," the group added.