Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore calls for the sacking of service chiefs, stressing that only a deliberate “TEAM approach (Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation)” would give the Armed Forces the edge to defeat insurgents, terrorists and bandits.
Ndume, who was Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, stated in Abuja, yesterday, that agitation for dismissal of the military leadership was ill-motivated and capable of undermining the morale of troops on the frontline.
His remarks came on the heels of a statement by the Northern Ethnic National Forum, which had accused the service chiefs of lacking capacity, and demanded their immediate replacement with what it called “fresh and innovative military leaders with a clear mandate and timeline for results.”
But Ndume insisted that the security chiefs appointed by Tinubu were experienced theatre commanders, who only needed improved funding, modern equipment and better welfare packages to deliver.
Reiterating his model, the Borno native noted: “Those pushing for the sacking of the service chiefs do not mean well for the administration or Nigerians. What is needed is proper investment in Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation.”
ALSO, the Arewa Youth Assembly has cautioned against the politicisation of national security, stating that demands for the removal of the service chiefs amount to a reckless and dangerous distraction from the ongoing war against insurgents and bandits.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the group’s Publicity Secretary, Aliyu Muhammad, cautioned Nigerians against aligning with such demands, saying it would create an opportunity for the insurgents to attack, while the new service chiefs get acclimatised.
According to Muhammad, a sudden change in the security architecture of the country would be a reckless and momentous mistake that would interrupt the stability and continuity of the ongoing fight against terrorism.
EQUALLY, the Campaign Against Injustice, a coalition of civil society groups, has urged Tinubu to disregard calls for the removal of the service chiefs, arguing that such demands could demoralise military personnel, who were sacrificing their lives to maintain the country’s unity.
In a statement yesterday by the Convener, Abbey Jolaosho, the group stated that criticisms targeting the service chiefs were unreasonable and failed to consider the complexities of the security challenges the country faces.
The coalition urged state governors and local government chairmen to enhance their support for President Tinubu’s agenda, given the increased allocations they receive.
It emphasised the need for Nigerians to appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of the Nigerian Army, noting that many soldiers have paid the ultimate price to protect the country’s territorial integrity.
