By Mohammed Ibrahim
The long standing issue of insecurity in Nigeria as, inherited by the present government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, has dominated national and international conversations about the state of Nigeria as a nation. This has all to do with the fact that the national life and development of any nation is shaped by the adequate security of lives and property.
At the inception of his administration, Mr. President has never left any one in doubt about his preparedness and determination to tackle the situation headlong. He had studied the intricate issues of insecurity, the strength and weaknesses of how the governments of President Olusegum Obasanjo, President Umar Musa Yar’adua, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his immediate predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari tried to handle the challenges in their days.
What many Nigerians, however, were curious: How would he handle the problems? Who would lead his security governance team? What strategy did he arm himself with? How could he make any difference going by the complications of counterterrorism made worse by religious, political, economic and international dimensions?
The above questions became imperative because to do such a tough job, Mr. President needed someone who possesses his (Mr. President) toughness, passion, patriotism, competence, professionalism and loyalty. It is in this perspective that the appointment of the then General Christopher Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and later as the Minister of Defence upon Musa’s rather sudden retirement, can be best assessed.
As has been widely acknowledged by Nigerians, the appointment of Gen. Musa as the CDS in 2024 was one of the most strategic steps by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his plan of how he intends to handle the security situation in the country. And In retrospect, the outstanding results of that era of Defence leadership and administration was highly remarkable.
By global standards, Musa is an asset of inestimable value, and a most outstanding military officer in his generation. Musa is at the heart of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security sector reform. He is armed with the intellect, experience and professionalism to lead in that charge, which was why when his was relieved of his job as the 18th CDS, Mr. President quickly recalled him back as the Minister of Defence
This was because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as Gen. Musa, know by experience, the Constitution and experience that security is essentially about statehood. It is so weighty, of course, existential because it is the bedrock of the country’s unity, peace and progress. And Mr. President whose policy focus of his administration is reform,
It was a crystal clear testament, indeed a reassuring indicator of how prepared the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to tackle the scourge of insecurity in the country. Thus, Musa is an ultimate signpost pointing at the well known legendary fact that Mr. President has the knack for productive and result-oriented leadership recruitment.
Musa’s era as the CDS was one of the best moments that projected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government as being focused in the fight against insecurity in the country. This is so true because for the record, Musa’s leadership qualities in the security sector then and in his current role are a pure product of discipline, professionalism and commitment as demanded by Mr. President, duty and the nation.
It is a common knowledge that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has openly demonstrated, in a very rare way, going by the outcomes.of how Musa has been implementing the president’s security sector reform, that critical decisions on policy and operations are not influences by politics but by tactical and experiential professionalism.
For first time in Nigeria’s recent history of military high command, the defence structure, management and administration was and remains properly synchronised. There was a well coordinated, managed and supervised order or structure without any un-necessary rivalry that characterised previous governments. There was a unity of purpose, and where there were disorderly and indiscipline, it was purged immediately in line with the military traditions, doctrines and laws.
Both as the CDS then and as the defence minister now, Musa also represents President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic security sector policy formulation and operations. Going by the flurry of Musa’s official engagements as the Minister of Defense, it is evident that …
As the political head of the nation’s security governance, including the supervision of operations and review of tactical strategies, as well as in terms of provision of needed weapons, trainings, logistics and welfare of officers …
Gen. Musa, highly disciplined, intelligent, professional, humble and patriotic officer, who is absolutely loyal to both the country and his boss, Mr. President, therefore stands tall as the character and nature of Tinubu administration’s counterterrorism operations: consistency.
It is on record that the Tinubu’s government faced some of the most gruesome terrorist attacks at schools, communities and on the highways; however, especially in recent times, it is also on record that no government in Nigeria’s recent history has achieved counterterrorism operations like the present government…
In other words, records bear witness profusely, and it safe to underscore the fact that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recorded more striking achievements in counterterrorism actions when Gen. Musa held away as the CGS. The gallant troops at the frontline,. particularly in the North-east, and in the North-west, in several coordinated operations, eliminated scores of terrorist commanders, bandit leaders, and hundreds of terrorists and bandits in an unprecedented manner.
Some individuals may wonder why there is so much emphasis on security by the present government. It is because as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly stressed – and as we all know – all other sectors and sections of the economic, political and social structures rest squarely on peace, law and order in the society. There can be no productive economic activities where there is crisis. Insecurity will drive away investors and.scare others away. Insecurity is a threat to democracy and political process. Insecurity leads to food insecurity because farmers won’t be able to access their farms.
In the same spirit of consistency, the current renewed relentless onslaught against terrorism by the troops on the frontline is consistent with the template set by Gen. Musa. The current US’ collaboration with the.Nigerian military in the fight against terrorism, which has been yielding tremendous positive results, has the signatures of Gen. Musa.
So, to understand President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and strategy on how to tackle the nation’s security challenges, you have to look at the Minister of Defence. Gen. Musa is both a symbolic and practical expressions of Tinubu’s eagerness, relentless aggression, resilience, impatience, and competence to dismantle the structure of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and farmers-herders’ crisis in the country.
Let all Nigerians therefore rally round the present government in it’s consistent efforts to tame the monster of insecurity in the country.
Alh. Mohammed Ibrahim, National Coordinator of PROJECT774 Network for Asiwaju Initiative, writes from Abuja.
