Lawmakers summon Minister of Defence, IGP, others over Zamfara killings

Lawmakers have summoned the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar over the Zamfara State killings.

They are to appear before the House of Representatives joint Committees on security to explain the recent killings of villagers, allegedly by Fulani herdsmen in Zamfara State as well as the escalating attacks by herdsmen in various parts of the country.

The lawmakers also condemned the spate of killings around the country.

The resolution of the House followed a motion brought before it by a member, Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau (APC-Zamfara), under matters of urgent national importance.

Gusau, moving the motion, said the attacks resulted in “the wanton destruction of lives and property”, adding that about 15 villages were raided and over 200 villagers killed in cold blood.

He said: “Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, the past 72 hours have witnessed unprovoked attacks on innocent villagers by Fulani herdsmen who now organise themselves on motorcycles with sophisticated weapons ranging from sub-machine guns, assorted rifles, automatic weapons to unleash terror on helpless and defenceless villagers.

“The most surprising thing is that these attacks can go on for hours without any form of intervention from the security agencies in and around the state as the attackers do whatever they like with their victims, include raping of women.”

While calling for a review of strategies in the fight against terrorism, the lawmaker said the security agencies need to be more committed in the way they handle various situations.

The Green Chamber resolved to summon the minister and the IGP, who incidentally are from Zamfara State as well as the NSA to brief its joint committees on security on the situation.

The lawmakers urged the army to establish battalions in such violence- prone areas to forestall future occurrences.

It was also resolved that the House should direct the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to supply relief materials to the villages.

The House ordered an investigation into the non-implementation of a plan to build an army battalion in Doma Local Government of Nasarawa State.

The project was meant to stop the incessant communal clashes among ethnic groups.

The House directed its committees on Works and Army to investigate the non-implementation of the project and report back within one month.

The resolution stemmed from a motion under matters of urgent national importance moved by Hon. Mohammed Onawo (PDP-Nasarawa).

Onawo, arguing the motion, said though N100 million was appropriated in the 2014 budget, the contract is yet to be awarded.

He said: “The essence of the project is to boost security in the senatorial district comprising Doma, Lafia, Awe, Keana and Obi and the neighbouring towns of Guma, Gwer West and Agatu in Benue State, which at the moment is threatened by frequent insurgent attacks resulting in loss of lives, property and other casualties bringing an increases situation of refugees and humanitarian calamities all over the two states.”

According to him, the appropriated funds may be mismanaged, if actions are not taken by parliament to forestall such and ensure a quick delivery on the project.

Lawmakers summon Minister of Defence, IGP, others over Zamfara killings

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

Call ‘rude’ military chiefs to order: Aliyu Gusau tells Jonathan

His powers challenged by military commanders he believed he was appointed to supervise, Nigeria’s Defence minister, Aliyu Gusau, on Tuesday sent a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan threatening to quit if the Commander-in-Chief failed to rein in chiefs of defence, army, navy and airforce, according to new details of a row that climaxed Wednesday in a dramatic resignation claim.

Aliyu Gusau, minister of defence

In the letter, Mr. Gusau accused the chief of defence staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh, of being “rude”, officials knowledgeable about the communication said.

Mr. Gusau and the presidency have denied the minister was leaving office barely a week after he was appointed as part of Mr. Jonathan’s new effort at curbing a bloody insurgency by the extremist Boko Haram sect.

Earlier reports said the minister submitted a resignation letter citing insubordination after Air Chief Marshal Badeh disparaged Mr. Gusau and the minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, for criticizing his failure to arrange a meeting between the new ministers and the service chiefs.

But several officials who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES narrated a troubling power tussle between the ministers and service chiefs with far-reaching implications on the administration’s war against Boko Haram which the government has largely failed to stem.

Government insiders said while the retired general did not expressly submit a resignation letter, he made it clear to the president he will not work with military officials he considered “insubordinate”.

The officials said since his swearing-in, Mr. Gusau made repeated efforts for a meeting with the service chiefs, but failed to secure one.

When AVM Badeh met with Mr. Gusau on Monday, he explained that the minister lacked the powers to summon the service chiefs to meetings without his (Badeh’s) knowledge.

Mr. Badeh also reportedly insisted that it was not the place of the defence minister to directly issue directives to the heads of the army, navy and air force, without routing same through the office of the defence chief.

Under the Nigerian constitution, and the Armed Forces Act, Mr. Badeh explained, only the president has the powers to so direct the service chiefs as Mr. Gusau, a retired soldier, sought to do. Even so, he added, the president, with all his powers, hardly breaches the chain of command.

Largely, Mr. Badeh was right. Under Section 217 of the constitution, and Section 7 of the Armed Forces Act, only the president has such powers. Were he to delegate them, the minister of defence, is not included in the chain of command.

Still, a potentially contentious subject, analysts also point to the constitutional provision allowing the president to delegate his powers to the ministers.

Officials said those were the explanations Mr. Badeh gave, which infuriated the minister.

After sending a letter of complaint to the President on Tuesday, Mr. Gusau failed to show up on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council meeting, triggering speculations he had quit the cabinet in anger.

Presidency sources said Mr. Jonathan is working to resolve the crisis and has tapped the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, President of the Senate, David Mark and former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, for help. (0)

Call ‘rude’ military chiefs to order: Aliyu Gusau tells Jonathan

Jonathan moves to stop minister of defence from resigning

President Goodluck Jonathan moved fast yesterday to prevent what could have been a major blow to his cabinet.

Aliyu Gusau, minister of defence

He prevailed on Minister of Defence Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau not to resign, barely one week after assuming office.

The President met with Gen. Gusau at the Villa where he agreed to shelve his resignation plan over what was described as “issues” with the Service Chiefs.

Senate President David Mark and some eminent Nigerians also intervened in the matter, it was learnt.

Gen. Gusau is said to be unhappy with the alleged insubordination of the Service Chiefs and the fact that he is unaware of military campaign plans against Boko Haram in the Northeast.

According to a source, who pleaded not to be named because it is a security matter, when the President got wind of Gen. Gusau’s plan to resign, he stepped into the matter.

The source said: “Apart from preliminary rapprochement on Tuesday night, the President had audience with Gen. Gusau at the Presidential Villa early yesterday to prevail on him not to quit the cabinet. He also promised to address some of the issues between him and the service chiefs.

“Based on the assurance from the President, Gusau shelved his plan to resign from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“As I am talking to you, the President of the Senate and some eminent Nigerians have also prevailed on Gen. Gusau to remain in the cabinet.”

Asked why Gen. Gusau was not at the FEC meeting yesterday, the source said: “The Minister was actually indisposed; he took ill. He only managed to meet with the President earlier in the day and took permission not to be at the meeting.”

Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati also denied that Gen. Gusau had resigned.

Abati told reporters yesterday: “About two hours or so ago, there was a report by an online medium, alleging that the Minister of Defence Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau resigned his appointment.

“This is to let you know that that story is untrue. Gen. Gusau remains in office as Minister of Defence. He was absent from today’s FEC meeting and this particular online medium cited this in support of its allegation that he had resigned.

“Well, he was absent from today’s meeting with the permission of President Jonathan. So, the story is not true; he remains in office and he himself has already dismissed the story as untrue.

“But I think this further clarification is necessary before we are confronted with a situation where all kinds of wild speculations begin to come up and the story begins to develop and grow various branches,” he said.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to Gen. Gusau, Mr. Adebisi Adekunle, also said the minister had not resigned.

It was immediately clear last night how the President plans to manage the crisis of confidence between Gen. Gusau and the service chiefs.

The service chiefs were said to be opposed to Gen. Gusau being the Coordinating Minister of Defence, with supervisory role on the Armed Forces, including strategic military commandants.

It was learnt that Gen. Gusau had invited the service chiefs to a meeting, but only the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, turned up.

Marshal Badeh was accused of being “rude” to Gen. Gusau and Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro.

Gen. Gusau was said to have contemplated leaving after meeting with the CDS, if he cannot operate freely with service chiefs.

It was gathered that Gen. Gusau felt frustrated because it seemed his terms for accepting the job were not being followed.

The terms are:

•Serving as coordinating Minister of Defence;

•free hands to operate;

•a waiver to do whatever he can to salvage the security challenges facing the nation and;

•the opportunity to resign anytime from the cabinet if he is displeased with the situation or if he feels that he has fulfilled his mission in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

A source said: “Gen. Gusau and Obanikoro invited the CDS, the service chiefs and strategic commandants for a meeting but only the CDS came. He said the service chiefs were coordinating operation in the Northeast.

“The CDS also promised to convene the decisions of the meeting to the service chiefs. Gusau saw the absence of the service chiefs as disrespectful.

“I think the challenge at hand borders on the fact that the service chiefs do not want to subjugate themselves to civilian control because it is against the National Security Agencies Act.

“They also claim that since the ongoing operation in the Northeast is tactical, they cannot sit down with the minister of defence to discuss their strategies and intelligence issues.

“I think this position was misinterpreted to mean that the CDS called Obanikoro a bloody civilian.”

But another source added: “There was no way the CDS could be rude to Gen. Gusau because in and out of the military, an officer must be respected. Gen. Gusau is a product of NDA Regular Course 1 and the CDS a graduate of Regular Course 22.

“Marshal Badeh also said he did not call Obanikoro a ‘bloody civilian at all.’ Maybe Obanikoro misread the CDS’ mood at the session.”

The military chiefs and security agencies were still opposed last night to plans to make them report to Gen. Gusau without an amendment to the National Security Agencies Act.

The National Security Agencies Act, obtained yesterday by our correspondent, reads in part: “For the purpose of co-ordinating the intelligence activities of the National Security Agencies set up under section I of this Act, there shall be appointed by the President a Co-coordinator on National Security.

“The Co-coordinator on National Security shall be a principal staff officer in the office of the President.

“The Co-coordinator on National Security shall be charged with the duty of-

(a) advising the President on matters concerning the intelligence activities of the agencies;

(b) making recommendations in relation to the activities of the agencies to the President, as contingencies may warrant;

(c) correlating and evaluating intelligence reports relating to the national security and providing the appropriate dissemination of such intelligence within Government, using existing facilities as the President may direct;

(d) determining the number and level of staff to be employed by each agency established pursuant to Section I of this Act and organising the transfer and posting of staff, especially the transfer and posting of existing staff of the Nigerian Security Organisation established pursuant to the Nigerian Security Organisation Act 1976, repealed by Section 7 (1) of this Act;

(e) doing such other things in connection with the foregoing provisions of this section as the President may, from time to time, determine.”

Reviewing the issue last night, a source close to the Military High Command said: The Armed Forces Act 1993 as amended in the 1999 Constitution states: “The CDS shall, subject to the general direction of the President and of the National Assembly, be vested with the day to day command and general superintendence of the Armed Forces”.

The Minister of Defence is the political head of the ministry, which is composed of the military and civil components.

He has two principal advisers – a permanent secretary who is a career civil servant and the CDS.

“The minister provides policy direction for the armed forces and participate in government’s policy making process. (0)

Jonathan moves to stop minister of defence from resigning

Jonathan swears in 11 Ministers

President Goodluck Jonathan completed yesterday his reform of the defence architecture in the battle against Boko Haram, with the inauguration of Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau as Minister of Defence.

President Goodluck Jonathan (fifth right); Vice-president Namadi Sambo (fifth left); pdp National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu (fourth right) with new ministers after their swearing in at the Presidential Villa in Abuja … yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Jonathan replaced his Service Chiefs in January and appointed a new Chief of Defence Staff to step up the anti-insurgency war in the Northeast states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, which are under emergency rule.

No fewer than 500 people, including pupils attacked while sleeping, have been killed in the last two months.

The defence portfolio has been vacant since Haliru Bello was removed in June, 2012 following a spate of attacks.

Gen. Gusau, a one-time Chief of Army Staff has twice served as National Security Adviser (NSA).

Jonathan appointed him NSA in 2010, but he left months later to bid against Jonathan for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket in 2011.

Gen. Gusau’s appointment is expected to raise the bar of the government’s approach to the battle against Boko Haram.

Apart from Gen. Gusau, the President swore in 10 other ministers.

He sacked Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi and replaced him with Dr. Tamuno Danagogo.

Abdullahi was not at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. The President did not announce his departure. He only swore in a replacement, leaving room for guessing whether Abdullahi, a former Minister of Youth, would be reassigned.

Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati later confirmed to reporters that Abdullahi had been relieved of his duties.

Abdullahi was said to have travelled to Poland where Nigeria’s athletes are participating in the World Indoor Athletics Championships.

Julius Ogunro, Abdullahi’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, said: “As I am talking to you I am not sure he (Abdullahi) has even got the message of his sack, because he is air borne on his way to Poland for the World Athletics Indoor Championship.

“The man tried his best for sports. He is the best person I have ever worked with.”

Aviation and Education ministries have no ministers yet.

Dr. Jonathan said new ministers would be appointed next week.

Other ministers inaugurated yesterday are:

Ambassador Aminu Wali (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Mohammed Wakil (Minister of State for Power) and Abduljelili Oyewale Adesiyan (Minister of Police Affairs). Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi (Land and Environment), Laurencia Labaran Mallam (Minister of Environment), Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Minister of State for Agriculture), Boni Haruna (Minister of Youth Development) and Dr Khaliru Alhassan (Minister of State for Health) also took the oath of office.

Wali was Nigeria’s ambassador to China.

Jonathan urged the ministers to see their appointments as a public trust and truly serve the people.

He said: “At the end, if you cannot say that you have brought innovations to your ministry, then you have failed. If you are not able to detect errors in the ministry, then you have failed. It is your responsibility to make positive changes.” (0)

Jonathan swears in 11 Ministers