By Tonye BarcanistaThe portfolios assigned to ministers last week only confirmed the fears that some of us have that Buhari appears to have a hidden agenda. In case you are not aware, be informed that President Buhari has finally moved ALL the security apparatus to the North, including the Defence and Interior/Police Affairs ministries without a space for anybody from the south.
In the FG’s cabinet, there are basically THREE portfolio that are responsible for security. The three are; Defence, Interior and Police Affairs. Traditionally, the Defence ministry comes with two positions(a substantive minister and minister of state). If the substantive minister is from the north, the junior minister will always come from the south. The Interior ministry and Police Affairs ministry is also shared between the south and the north at the discretion of the President. In the event that both ministries are merged, then the region that doesn’t produce the Defence Minister get the Interior minister.
President Olusegun Obasanjo Era
During Obasanjo’s era, his Defence minister in his first tenure was General TY Danjuma(Taraba/North), his Defence Minister(State) was Mrs Dupe Adelaja. In his second tenure, his Defence Minister was Rabiu Kwankwaso(Kano/North), with Roland Oritsejafor (Delta/South) and later Thomas Ironsi(South) as State Defence minister.
In the Interior Ministry was Sunday Afolabi from Osun state/South(1999-2003).
Obasanjo would later split the Police Affairs Ministry from Interior Ministry. He appointed Southerner Broderick Bozimo(Delta) as Police Affairs Minister(2003-January 2007). He left the Interior Ministry for the North (Muhammed Shatta, Iyorcha Ayu and Muhammed Magaji).
A Northerner (Gen Aliyu Gusau/Zamfara) was his National Security Adviser.
President Musa Yar’adua Era
In Yaradua’s Tenure, his Defence Minister was Yahale Ahmed(Bauchi/North) and later Dr Shetimma Mustapha(North) with Demola Seriki(Lagos/South) as Minister of State For Defence. His Interior Minister was Major General Godwin Abbe(Edo/South). Yaradua, would later move Abbe to Defence Ministry(2009) while Dr Shetimma Mustafa moved to interior.
The Police Affairs Ministry however remained in the North(Dr Lame).
His National security Adviser was Abdulahi Muktar(Kano)
President Ebele Jonathan’s Era
Under Jonathan, his Defence Ministers Hadiru Bello and Aliyu Gasau were Northerners. To maintain balance, he had Erelu Obada(Osun/South) and Musliu Obanikoro(Lagos/South) as his Minister of State for Defence for Bello and Gusau respectively. His Interior Minister was also from the North(Abba Moro/Benue) but he left Police Affairs Minister in the South; Navy Captain Caleb Olubode(Ekiti) and Jelili Adesanyan.
His NSA were late Andrew Azaz (Bayelsa/Southi) and Sambo Dasuki (Sokoto/North)
President Buhari Moved ALL To North
Buhari however FAILED to recognise this balance in sharing of security cabinet portfolios. After merging the Police Affairs with the Interior Ministry, one naturally expect the South to get either the Interior or Defence Ministry. But Buhari pushed both Ministries to the North with Alhaji Dan Ali(Zamfara/North West) and Abdulramman Dambazau(Kano/North West) assigned to Defence and Interior(Police Affairs + Interior) ministries respectively. More troublesome is the fact that there are no positions for Minister of State for both ministries.
As it stands, we have NO Southerner in any of the security decision making cabinet organ under this APC Buhari administion. Let me explain;
The Office of National Security Adviser is in charge of DSS, NIA, DMI etc. It is occupied by Gen Muguno(North East)
The Minister of Defence oversees the Armed Forces(Army, Navy and Airforce). It is occupied by Alhaji Ali(Zamfara/North West)
The Interior minister oversees the Police Force, NSCDC, Prison Service, Immigration, Fire Service ane every other paramilitary services. It is occupied by Abdulrahman Dambazau(Kano/North West)
All three positions are domiciled in the North(2 NW and 1 NE) with no space for the South. Not even Minister of state/”Deputy” was kept for the South.
The action of Buhari-led APC government to marginalise the South from the security scheme of things in Nigeria is the height of unpatriotism, sectionalism, and should be condemned by all lovers of unity and Nigeria.
May God Bless Us All and Bless Nigeria
Barcanista writes from Port Harcourt
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