The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has raised concerns over an alleged plot by certain political actors and power brokers to engineer the removal of Nigeria’s service chiefs, warning that any attempt to politicise the country’s security architecture could undermine national security efforts.

Speaking at a world press conference on the state of the nation in Abuja, the spokesperson of the group, Aliyu Sanni Mohammed, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain firm in his support for the current military leadership and resist any pressure aimed at influencing decisions on security appointments.

Mohammed said the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, possesses the constitutional authority to appoint, direct and retain service chiefs, stressing that such powers should not be subjected to external pressure or political interests.

According to him, reports circulating in the public space suggest that some individuals and political actors may have held meetings outside Nigeria with the objective of securing the removal of the current service chiefs.

He stated: “”It has come to our attention through credible concerns circulating within the public space that certain individuals, power brokers and desperate political actors, allegedly motivated by ulterior interests and an insatiable quest for power, may have held meetings outside the shores of Nigeria with the objective of engineering the removal of the current service chiefs.

“We wish to state clearly that these allegations deserve serious attention and careful scrutiny by relevant authorities. However, until any such claims are officially established through lawful processes, they remain allegations.

“Nevertheless, if indeed there are elements seeking to manipulate the nation’s security leadership for political convenience or personal gain, such actions are condemnable, dangerous and profoundly unpatriotic”

While acknowledging that the claims remain allegations until officially established, Mohammed said any effort to manipulate the nation’s security leadership for political convenience would be dangerous, unpatriotic and detrimental to ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.

He noted that Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and insurgency, but argued that the sacrifices and achievements of the armed forces under the current leadership should not be overlooked.

The group cited recent military operations, including the rescue of the wife of a retired Major General and other successful interventions across different theatres of operation, as evidence of the commitment and resilience of the armed forces.

Mohammed maintained that addressing insecurity requires stronger institutional support, improved intelligence gathering and better resources for security agencies rather than campaigns targeting military commanders.

He said: “The answer to our security challenges does not lie in endless speculation, political grandstanding or the sacrifice of dedicated commanders on the altar of expediency. The answer lies in strengthening our institutions, providing our armed forces with the resources, intelligence, equipment and policy support required to succeed.

“The answer lies in unity of purpose, in encouraging those who bear the burden of defending our nation rather than weakening their resolve.

“Accordingly, the Arewa Youth Assembly calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to remain resolute and steadfast. Mr President, do not yield to whispers designed to sow discord between you and your service chiefs.

“Do not permit those driven by selfish ambitions to dictate the direction of national security, stand firmly behind your service chiefs, strengthen their hands, empower them with the support they require within the bounds of law and accountability. Allow them the continuity and confidence necessary to complete the difficult task before them”.

It urged Nigerians to support the armed forces and security agencies by providing credible information and rejecting divisive narratives capable of weakening national unity and security efforts.