The return of Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd) to public office, this time as the Minister of Defence, after he was removed as the Chief of Defence Staff in less than two months, is clear testimony that destiny is not done with him in our struggle to birth the nation of our collective dream as a people.
From some of his interactions or commentaries in the past, it is clear that Gen. Musa knows his onion. It’s clear that we have a man who, if given the necessary support, will go a long way in checking the worsening state of insecurity in the country.
If the general consensus is that Gen. Musa is the right man for the job, given the positive reviews over his appointment as the Minister of defence, then why was he removed earlier as the Chief of Defence Staff by President Bola Tinubu? Why was he dropped and have the circumstances that led to his sack changed or are there still the possibility of a similar occurrence happening again?
One thing for sure, the reason insecurity has festered for so long is as a result of insincerity in tackling the problem by governments at all levels. Let’s be clear on this. Our military, given the go-ahead and necessary support, would rout these ragtag insurgents and terrorists in no time.
That this has lingered for so long, is as a result of the complicity on the part of our leaders, politicians and corrupt military officers who have been making a kill from this contrived state of chaos.
When General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) accused the military of complicity, rather than look into this and address the issue, the government of Muhammadu Buhari, and his military high command at the time, were deflecting from the main issues by attacking the person and living in denial. Is there any other way of confirming that allegation other than the fact that insecurity has continued to deteriorate?
It was a former head of state who once said that if a crisis lasts for too long, then the government has a hand. Buhari’s wasted eight years is a testimony to that truism.
While addressing the National Assembly during his screening, Gen. Musa spoke with so much zeal and patriotism. It was easy to tell that he, like other well meaning Nigerians, is exasperated with the embarrassing state of affairs. He was clear in his mind and thought on what needs to be done, collectively by all to end this scourge. He clearly understands the terrain. He is familiar with the playbook.
But really, that might just be where it ends. Gen. Musa must come to terms with the realisation that beyond the open or overt acquiescence of the political class, when these men return to their covens they will fight any genuine attempt by the minister and his fellow security chiefs to end these crimes. They are beneficiaries and enablers. They have their hands soiled.
Therefore, for him to succeed he must be prepared to see through the hypocrisy of these evil men, both in and out of government.
Just last Monday, we had expressed disappointment at the embarrassing statement credited to the now sacked Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who had shamelessly said terrorists are located in forests that bombs cannot penetrate.
“Yes, we know their locations, but some of these areas are places where direct strikes could endanger civilians, or forests where our bombs cannot penetrate,” Badaru had said disappointingly.
His eventual sack by Tinubu was clearly overdue. By his submission, he is a clear sympathizer. His exit is a good riddance to bad rubbish. How he remained as minister for over two years speaks a lot of how thorough and painstaking the President is in choosing his team.
President Tinubu should sack as well the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. How Tinubu arrived at the choice of these two men given their antecedents, is difficult to understand.
Recall that Matawalle, was in 2024 accused of having links with terrorism.
He was alleged to have procured vehicles for bandit leaders, including a notorious kingpin, Bello Turji, and others while serving as Zamfara State governor.
The current state governor, Dauda Lawal, who accused him also called on him to resign.
He said, “If I were him (Matawalle), I would resign and face all the allegations against me because, from all the information we are getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry.”
How can a sincere President who is desirous of putting an end to the bloodshed in the land ignore such weighty allegations just for political expediency considering that these allegations are coming from the governor of the state?
For Gen. Musa, the task ahead is certainly not a tea party. He should build on his existing relationship with other key security agencies like the NIA, DSS, EFCC and the police as well as other members of the armed forces to win this war.
Also, it’s expected that he should enjoy the total support of the president. This is very vital because there are too many moles and entrenched interests who are reaping from the various protracted crises across the country and would stop at nothing to maintain the status quo.
The goodwill Gen. Musa is enjoying now can fizzle out in matter of days if he fails to give Nigerians something to cheer about as quickly as possible.
While it’s granted that his impact may not be immediately felt in the troubled zones, however, identifying and naming suspected sponsors and the sympathisers of the terrorists as well as investigating and punishing the suspects who ordered the withdrawal of the security men from the school in Maga, Kebbi State should not take eternity.
He must also keep to his pledge of not negotiating with terrorists. It’s a shame that the government would know the locations of terrorists and negotiate releases of captives and yet not make a single arrest let alone neutralise their captors.
Gen Musa should abandon the nebulous operation safe corridor that was a clandestine route for escape for mass murderers. If that approach of deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration were genuine in resolving the many crises facing the nation, why then was it not extended to other parts of the country? It’s this phantom exercise that has sustained insurgency and banditry.
Also Gen. Musa must ensure his order to shoot armed gunmen on sight is adhered to. There are too many arms in circulation in the hands of the wrong people.
We wish to tell the Minister that his appointment, experience and pedigree have only given Nigerians hope that since after Goodluck Jonathan, we will again see genuine attempts to return peace to our land. We are mindful of the fact Gen Musa cannot do this alone, therefore, we advise that if for any reason there are identified saboteurs he should not hesitate to call them out. It’s not for nothing that insecurity has festered this long. It’s because those who are supposed to fight this are enablers and sponsors of these criminals, including within top military chiefs.
Finally, Gen. Musa, at the end of your tenure you will have nobody to blame if your impact and that of your colleagues are not felt positively. If you do not get the necessary support you need, would it be impossible to resign or would you just remain and allow all those enablers that are complicit to compromise you?
My advice to you Gen Musa, is always watch your back. The enemies you fight are mostly within. If you get rid of them, routing those miscreants in the bushes is the easiest part of your assignment.
I wish you well.
