The Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria, has called for the immediate resignation of Mohammed Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Muhammadu Buhari, following his comment regarding the immediate past Service Chiefs in the country.
The Convener of the coalition, Oladimeji Odeyemi, told journalists in Ibadan that Monguno has betrayed the sacredness and dignity of his office as the NSA by implying that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in charge of affairs in the country.
Recall that Monguno recently suggested in an interview with BBC Hausa that money appropriated for arms under Buhari’s former service chiefs, who had served for almost five years, cannot be traced. Hours after the interview, however, Monguno was quick to dismiss his earlier comment, saying he was quoted out of context.
According to the coalition, despite his recant of the comment, Monguno displayed limited capacity in security process and could be one of the reasons why the present administration is challenged by insecurity.
The coalition described the comment from the NSA as ‘careless and ridiculous’, adding that the tenure of the immediate past service chiefs, especially the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), was the best in terms of capacity building, morale boosting and equipment acquisition.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd)
“We believe a personality like Monguno is morally and psychologically unfit to continue to serve as the NSA to President Buhari due to his several unpatriotic gaffes especially the recent comment on the outgone service chiefs. On this basis, we demand his resignation as the President’s NSA.
“Before they eventually retired last January, everyone was aware that Monguno was not on good terms with the service chiefs. We can only advise the incumbent military chiefs to watch their backs because Monguno is lurking with his tricks.” The coalition said
Meanwhile in a statement, the former military chief’s lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, said there was no arms fund missing under the stewardship of LT Gen Buratai. “Anyone interested in knowing how Arms were procured by the ex-service chiefs and particularly Gen Buratai, should channel such request for information to the Ministry of Defense.
He warned that any attempt to further tarnish the image of the former Chief of Army staff will be resisted legally.”
Comment here