The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has advised President Bola Tinubu to restructure the nation’s security architecture and choose an expert with wealth of experience in counter-terrorism, and a player in the international security space as his national security adviser.
The monarch, who is also the deputy chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, in a statement on Thursday, explained that terrorism has so much bedeviled Nigeria to the level that the nation can no longer afford further losses of citizens including security personnel.
He posited that overcoming the current security challenge requires a multi-layer and multi-stakeholder engagement approach, adding that those who have been participating in the international security space will be better suited for the position in the Tinubu administration.
The statement read in part: “My advice to the president on choosing the National Security Adviser (NSA) is the Mr President should appoint someone with security intelligence skill and professionalism either with military or DSS or NIA background.
“Aside the traditional functions of coordination of the national security and reporting directly to the president on all matters of security, the office of the NSA is the clearing house for all matters related to counterterrorism. Nigeria is bedeviled by all forms of security challenges.
“As far as terrorism is concerned, ALQAEDA in Islamic Maghreb has operations in Nigeria. So are ISWAP, Boko Haram and other smaller cells of other terrorist groups. These are run by the military. We cannot afford to lose any more time in bringing our insecurity under control and checking terrorist activities.
“We need competent hands in this area – multilayered stakeholder engagements in this sphere – will be key. International collaboration will be essential. We must have people who have been active in this space internationally so that we can lean on their expertise and contacts to get our security under control.”
The monarch urged the president to give priority to competence and capacity but also ensure ethnic and religious balance in appointment of security chiefs in his administration.
“Mr President needs to balance religion and ethnicity along with competence.
The Buhari administration appointed over 80 per cent of Muslims and Nigerians of northern origin to manage the security architecture. For balancing, I do not see the reason why President Tinubu should not appoint more people from the southern part of Nigeria into top security positions for purpose of justice, equity and unity.” Olugbon posited.
To run an effective and responsive administration, Oba Alao also advised the president to prevent a situation where a few people, popularly called ‘cabal, will again capture the machinery of governance.
Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola
