The Coalition of Arewa Youths for Peace and Security has denounced what it called “reckless and unwarranted remarks” made by a person claiming to speak for Northern youths while demanding the dismissal of General Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, the Minister of Defense.
The group distanced itself from the speaker in a joint statement signed by its Secretary, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, and President, Dr. Mohammed Jallo, emphasizing that he does not speak for the coalition or the larger group of responsible Northern youths dedicated to peace and national security.
Remember when the defense minister was openly demanded to be fired by an organization calling itself Arewa Youths?
A coalition of Arewa organizations, however, has rejected the statement, claiming that the person’s remarks were not only deceptive and offensive but also showed a blatant ignorance of Nigeria’s security framework and the coordinated actions being carried out by the Armed Forces under Musa’s command.
“It is obvious that the person making these remarks is ignorant of the intricacy of the security issues facing our country or the strategic changes being carried out in the defense industry right now.
The statement continued, “His outburst appears to be either politically motivated or orchestrated by interests seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s security leadership.”
The coalition characterized the accusation that Musa is a “sleeping minister” as a sad attempt to damage the reputation of a renowned military officer who has spent decades defending Nigeria, as well as a flagrant falsification of fact.
It was stated that Musa’s service history speaks for itself. In his capacity as Chief of Defense Staff, he oversaw more intense joint military operations across the nation, enhancing cooperation between the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the battle against banditry, terrorism, and insurgency.
The group also emphasized that Nigeria’s security issues cannot be attributed to the activities of a single person, pointing out that combating terrorism and criminality calls for patience, a concerted national effort, and responsible public discourse.
“Citizens have the right to voice their opinions, but they must be informed by facts, accountability, and patriotism.” The statement continued, “Emotional rhetoric and careless accusations only give the state’s adversaries more confidence and lower national morale.”
The group asked Nigerians to ignore the presenter’s assertions, stating that he does not speak for the aspirations or voice of Northern youths who are still dedicated to upholding national security institutions.
It demanded assistance for the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces in their continuous endeavors to bring about enduring peace and stability throughout the nation.
