Nigeria’s socio-political activist, Deji Adeyanju, has warned President Bola Tinubu not to make military appointments as political patronage.
According to Deji, while applauding the president for the appointments of security chiefs and especially that of Nuhu Ribadu as his National Security Adviser, NSA, he said Tinubu would get those loyal to Nigeria by sacking the new Service Chiefs if they fail to perform their duties.
Deji who bagged a law degree and made first class honours last year wrote: “I received with elation, the cheering news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has retired all service chiefs and appointed new ones, including the fitting appointment of Malam Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser.
“The decision to appoint Nuhu Ribadu as NSA is indeed a courageous one which I personally commend.
“As Nigeria gradually exits a period where political appointments, once made, were retained for the duration of their term, irrespective of the appointee’s incompetence, it is important to remind President Tinubu that military appointments are not to be made as political patronage.
“If the new service chiefs fail in their duty, they should equally be sacked without much ado. Only through this means can we have service chiefs whose loyalty is to the Nigerian state.”
Deji further charged all the new military appointees to eschew inter-agency conflict and corruption and help Tinubu achieve his political manifestos.
He said: “I also use this medium to congratulate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on his appointment as the National Security Adviser. Mallam Ribadu has had a stellar career, and expect that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the nation’s security affairs.
“I call on the new service chiefs and acting Inspector General of Police to eschew inter-agency conflict and corruption.
“President Bola Tinubu and all newly appointed officials must make efforts to halt the decline in every strata of our national life.”