Ribadu And The Politics Of Security
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin-City
The lame piece on Mallam Nuhu Ribadu by Erasmus Ikhide is a mix of fiction and deliberate misinterpretation and misrepresentation. His argument is simple: Ribadu is unfit for the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) because he once investigated corrupt politicians and now serves in an administration that includes some of them. I think this line of thought is vague and empty besides being dishonest.
Ribadu was appointed as NSA based on his track record in law enforcement and security strategy. Many know that he has been working to reshape the country’s security architecture. That is why his critics are uneasy. They want to discredit him and create a security crisis to weaken the Tinubu government ahead of 2027. This is the same old tactic that was used against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Ikhide questions Ribadu’s competence by accusing him of playing politics instead of fixing security challenges. How?. Is security not a long-term battle? Is it a one-day affair? The fight against insurgency has seen significant gains under Ribadu’s watch. The military has reclaimed lost territories, and criminal elements are being dismantled. To suggest that Ribadu is not doing enough iis pure mischief.
The attack on Ribadu’s meeting with Ogoni leaders is another red herring. The NSA’s role includes engaging with various groups to prevent security threats. If he met with Ogoni leaders, it was in the nation’s interest. There is no evidence that the meeting was meant to exclude critical stakeholders.
Ikhide also criticizes Ribadu’s reaction to Canada’s visa denial for the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. But was Ribadu wrong to express his frustration? Nigeria deserves respect on the global stage. A blanket denial of visas to key security personnel is an insult to the nation. Ribadu’s response, though blunt, reflects the frustration of a country tired of being treated with contempt.
The claim that the Nigerian military has failed to use modern technology is another misleading argument. The military has invested in surveillance, intelligence gathering, and drone technology. The fight against terrorism is evolving, and so are Nigeria’s strategies. The idea that only “eminent professors on counterterrorism” should lead the NSA is laughable. Security is about practical experience, not academic theories.
Ribadu’s appointment as NSA was not a “reward for an old favor,” as Ikhide suggests. It was a strategic decision. His background in law enforcement, anti-corruption, and counterterrorism made him the right choice. The critics pushing for his removal have an agenda. They want to destabilize the security structure to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
At the core of this attack on Ribadu is a larger political game. Some forces are desperate to unseat the APC in 2027. They are laying the groundwork by undermining key government figures. Ribadu is a prime target because he stands in the way of their plans. They want chaos. They want a crisis they can exploit for political gain.
But Nigerians are watching. They see the security improvements. They know that terrorism has been pushed back, kidnappers are being arrested, and crime networks are being dismantled. The false narratives being pushed by Ribadu’s critics will not change these facts.
Ribadu is not perfect, but he is committed to making Nigeria safer. The desperate attempts to smear him will fail. His detractors should focus on constructive criticism, not political propaganda disguised as concern for national security.
