Former Military Administrator of Ogun State, Navy Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin (rtd), has frowned at the composition of the National Security Council, pointing out that the make-up of the structure was a clear example of political inequality in the country.
Penpushing reports that, Olofinmoyin made the observation while commenting on the theme of the discussion: ‘Sustainable Peace: The Divide of a Growing Nation’, at the Leaders News House Peace, Unity and Security Lecture Series chaired by former Governor Adamawa State, Boni Haruna
The retired navy boss stressed that the composition and the structure was one of the reasons responsible for ethnic tension in the country, stressing that it was unhealthy for national unity and peace, a situation where nine out of the eleven members on the National Security Council are from the Northern part of the country.
Penpushing further reports Olofinmoyin in his explosive remarks at the ECOWAS main auditorium, Asokoro, Abuja, venue of the event declared it was disheartening that, the composition was heavily skewed in favour of one particular section of the country.
“We are practicing the Presidential system of government which promotes equality and the rule of law. But if you don’t guarantee equality like we don’t in Nigeria, you cannot have peace, you cannot have progress and you cannot develop’, he stated.
“Let me go straight away to address Mr. President. People have said with the political inequality as it is in Nigeria today, you cannot have peace. I cannot have trust in the government. Let me give you a very good example because security is the first thing. And then people must separate your security infrastructure-the security team,” Olofinmoyin said.
The former Military administrator who is a frontline member of Penpushing platform while buttressing his points noted that, aside from the President, the majority of the members of the security councils are northerners
Penpushing reports that, Olofinmoyin said they include; the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd); the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen Attahiru Ibrahim; the Director-General, Department of State Services; Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi; the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; the Chief of Navy Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo; and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.
The former military administrator noted that the only Southerners in the council are the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj Gen Lucky Irabor and the Chief of Air Staff AVM Isiaka Amao, arguing that at every security meeting, the duo will only serve role of spectators.
“So in your National Security Council of 11, you have nine northerners and two southerners. Look, I am telling you as a practitioner, a former governor of a state, a General, and I am 70 years old, when you go to such meeting, those two southerners are just there as onlookers. Who is going to believe in the outcome of such a security meeting and you say it is national,” Olofinmoyin said.
Penpushing further reports, the frankly speaking Olofinmoyin stated that the prevailing herdsmen clashes, spate of killings and kidnapping occur because of the ethnic imbalance in the national security council, and asked the federal government to correct the inequality,saying that’s only way to guarantee peace
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