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 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 emphasised 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, emphasising that executive governors at the state level serve as ‘Chief Security and Administrative’ officers.
The group emphasised that collective security begins with the states and is harmonised at the federal level by the president, with oversight by the Ministry of Defence. The NSNCM questioned whether the NWDV is insinuating that the Executive Governors of the states mentioned lack the capacity to keep their states in order.
The NSNCM acknowledged that insecurity exists in some states but emphasised that these issues should be tackled at the state level, with support from the federal government. The group noted that the claimed deteriorating security situation in the country should be reevaluated and channelled to the appropriate authorities for proper handling.
The NSNCM emphasised that the responsibility for safeguarding lives and properties starts at the local government level, which is answerable to their respective states, and then to the federal level. The group questioned whether the NWDV has conducted research to determine if all parameters have been explored and exploited at the local government levels.
The NSNCM highlighted the importance of state governments sharing intelligence and surveillance reports with the federal government. The group noted that states that share boundaries with neighbouring countries should provide such reports to the appropriate federal ministries, departments, and agencies for processing by the Ministry of Defence.
The group rejected the call for the Minister of Defence’s sack, describing it as absurd and obscene. The NSNCM emphasised that the minister can only process and act on security issues based on what state governments or zones bring to the Security Council meeting table.
The NSNCM noted that every person or group has their rights to ambition and targets. However, the group emphasised that power is not on the mind of an astute administrator but in growth and achievements. The NSNCM commended Alhaji Badaru for his exemplary leadership style and achievements since his inception in office.
The group agreed that the security architecture of the country needs constant review due to dynamic changes globally. The NSNCM emphasized the importance of perspective views originating from the states, particularly those that share boundaries with neighboring countries.
The NSNCM stressed the need for airtight collaboration between security agencies and stakeholders. The group emphasised the importance of intelligence collation and optimum funding to ensure apt responses to security challenges.
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. The group urged civil society organisations to provide constructive criticism and support the government’s efforts to address security challenges.
