Amid speculations that President Bola Tinubu is poised to appoint the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser (NSA), former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani have spoken in favour of the move.
In a report on Saturday, online news platform The Whistler, quoted sources close to the presidency as saying that Ribadu, a former police officer, would be appointed to replace Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd).
Tinubu was said to have picked Ribadu while snubbing two other leading contenders, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd) and the current Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
Since the report emerged, some Nigerians took to social media to fault the planned appointment, with many arguing that the president should consider someone with senior military experience for the role.
In apparent reactions to the criticisms, Fani-Kayode and Sani in separate tweets backed Ribadu for the job.
Fani-Kayode, who is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), tweeted a photo of Ribadu with the caption, “Those that say only a military man can handle the position of NSA are ignorant.
“Amongst the best that held that position in our history were retired police and/or intelligence officers such as Umaru Shinkafi, Gambo Jimeta and Ismaila Gwarzo.
“I have no doubt that my brother Nuhu Ribadu, who is a retired police officer, once confirmed as NSA, will acquit himself well and follow in the footsteps of these three reverred men.”
Those that say only a military man can handle the position of NSA are ignorant.
Amongst the best that held that position in our history were retired police and/or intelligence officers such as Umaru Shinkafi, Gambo Jimeta and Ismaila Gwarzo.
I have no doubt that my brother… pic.twitter.com/cp5cHtnClb
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) June 4, 2023
Similarly, Shehu Sani tweeted, “The appointment of Nuhu Ribadu as the new NSA is commendable.
“I was quiet aware of the vicious and envious persons who ensured that Ribadu was denied any appointment in the last eight years because of the reason that he was not a Buharist.
“The challenge before him is addressing our security challenges. I wish him all the best.”
The appointment of Nuhu Ribadu as the new NSA is commendable.I was quiet aware of the vicious and envious persons who ensured that Ribadu was denied any appointment in the last eight years because of the reason that he was not a buharist.The challenge before him is addressing our…
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 4, 2023