Security: Ex-lawmaker commends Tinubu on choice of  Service Chiefs, NSA

*Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, immediate past Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Army, applauds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointments of new Security Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser, describing the officers as ‘square pegs in square holes’

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the Federal Government’s announcement of the new appointments in charge of security matters, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, immediate past Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Army, in the National Assembly (NASS), Abuja, FCT, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for selection of the new Security Service Chiefs.

Namdas, in a brief chat with reporters Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Abuja, FCT,  described the new Security Chiefs as square pegs in square holes.

Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas

It is recalled the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) evening Monday, had announced the appointment of new Service Chiefs.

Willie Bassey, Director of Information Office of the SGF, in a statement, announced Malam Nuhu Ribadu as the new National Security Adviser (NSA).

President Tinubu has also approved the appointments of Maj. Gen. C.G. Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Maj. Gen T. A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff; and AVM H.B. Abubakar as the new Chief of Air Staff.

For the Nigeria Police, DIG Kayode Egbetokun now takes over as Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye has been appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Speaking further on the President’s latest appointments, Namdas also said: “In my view, the President made an excellent selection of officers that can help him fight insecurity in Nigeria.

“As Chairman, House Committee, I got to know the Chief of Defence Staff Gen C.G. Musa and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen T.A. Lagbaja.”

The Federal legislator stated: “They have held command positions and they are very respected in the Nigerian Army.

“I have been told that the two other Service Chiefs are thorough professionals.”

The former Chairman of House Committee on Army as well noted: “When you add Malam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser, I believe they will help the President to achieve the desired results.

“A far as I am concerned, these men are square pegs in square holes.”

New appointments portend Nigerians ‘will see positive results’

In regard to the appropriateness of Malam Ribadu’s appointment as the National Security Adviser, Namdas disclosed that the choice of a Police officer as National Security Adviser isn’t new.

He rather expressed confidence in the abilities of the pioneer former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to effectively coordinate the West African country’s security agencies.

The ex-lawmaker explained: “From the Adamawa State where I come from, we produced the former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta, who was NSA to Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, the Military President.

“It is good to give other security agencies the opportunity to showcase their capacity.”

Namdas also noted: “As you know, Nuhu Ribadu, was the pioneer Chairman of EFCC and from scratch, he designed the agency to what it still looks like today.

“And with the close relationship he has with the C-in-C (Commander-in-Chief), he will enjoy huge political will to implement whatever ideas he has.

“With the combination of the new Service Chief and NSA, I can assure you that we will see positive results by ourselves.”

Listing what he considered as good results from the new national security team, the former Spokesman of the House of Representatives said: “Nigerians crave a peaceful environment to live and work.

“For example, a farmer in the North-West, who cannot go to his farm or sleep well at home without unknown gunmen, asking for tax to farm, simply wants the restoration of peace and stability.”

Namdas added: These new appointees will certainly benefit from the political will of a President who promised to hit the ground running and he has done exactly this.

“I see the new Service Chiefs and NSA being empowered in a manner that they will be able to get the desired results-which is mainly people being protected from kidnappers, unknown gunmen and dealing with Boko Haram.”

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