Northern Elders urge Jonthan to investigate insubordination towards Minister of Defence

By Ehi Ekhator

The Northern Elders’ Forum (NBF) has requested the National Assembly to look into the stubborn attitude displayed by the Service Chiefs displayed towards the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau.

Aliyu Gusau, minister of defence

This was disclosed by the Deputy Leader of the NBF, Dr. Paul Unongo in Abuja requesting that the alleged insubordination, if true, was a dangerous development

He said : It is not done in the Armed Forces. It dents the credibility of the minister. If they refuse to appear before him, what right has he to oversee the entire Defence Forces?

“Disrespect is not tolerated in the Armed Forces. If he resigned, I support him. If he did not resign, what happened? I heard Mr. President pleaded with him to withdraw his resignation letter.

“This is a serious issue that the National Assembly should investigate because it is an attack on our democracy. This is a very serious thing in a democratic set-up.

“When such a thing happened in the United States, the Head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces was dismissed. The President is allowed to choose anybody whom he feels can do the job.

“This kind of thing should never be tolerated. Such officers should be flushed out of the system because if hey are not flushed out, it is dangerous for our democracy.”

The second Republic Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Unongo hope that the President “will take note of the grave implications inherent in the drama of his Armed Forces refusing to carry out instructions of civilian cabinet ministers appointed to oversee their various departments.”

“To oversee these functions, Mr. President invites cabinet ministers to assist him run the departments and the military is a department. He added

“These heads of the Armed Forces, according to the Constitution, unless they have changed it, are directly under a director within the Ministry of Defence.

“This is a man that has been a General for over 20 years with the Nigerian Armed Forces. This is a person that became the Chief Spy; his nickname is the Chief Spy of the Nigerian Federation.

“This is a man that all governments, including this present administration, tap his knowledge and I know this person and how long the Government of President Jonathan tried to get him to accept this position of Minister of Defence.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, General Gusau yesterday met with Service Chiefs in what appeared a likely resolution of the crisis of confidence between the minister and leaders of the Armed Forces.

Gusau and the Service Chiefs reviewed the situation in Maiduguri and other parts of the North-East.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said the Service Chiefs, led by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, decided to honour the invitation after the intervention of the Presidential Villa.

The source said: “The Defence Minister and the Service Chiefs met to iron out grey areas on the management of security challenges and out to forge a common front.

“I think we are closer to the resolution of the misunderstanding between the minister and the Service Chiefs.

“We expect a better co-ordination of all operations against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.”

Asked if the Service Chiefs will now report to the minister, the source added: “Not likely because National Security Agencies Act does not mandate them to do so.

“But what yesterday’s meeting has achieved is the need for mutual respect and how to collaborate without friction.

“It is also about drawing inspiration from Gusau who is respected globally as an expert in counter-insurgency.

“The crisis in Maiduguri was a catalyst for the session between the minister and the Service Chiefs. It jolted all of them into action.” (0)

Northern Elders urge Jonthan to investigate insubordination towards Minister of Defence