Niger Delta, Oodua Groups Rally Behind NSA Ribadu Amid Calls for Ouster The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF) has defended National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, describing Senator Francis Fadahunsi’s call for his removal as “outdated” and “simplistic”.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Barrister Andrew Mene, the NDSF said Senator Fadahunsi’s suggestion that only a retired military officer can lead the NSA is a “narrow view of national security leadership” and “ignores the reality of modern security threats”.
The group praised Ribadu’s experience, integrity, and strategic leadership, saying he has demonstrated the ability to coordinate intelligence, combat terrorism, and address complex security challenges.
The NDSF noted that global best practices show that national security leadership is not limited to military officers, citing examples of successful civilian NSAs in countries like the US, UK, and India.
The statement urged Senator Fadahunsi to support the ongoing security reforms and efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering, rather than politicizing the NSA’s position.
The NDSF emphasized that security is not just about military might, but about intelligence, diplomacy, and policy coherence, and that Ribadu’s leadership is crucial in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
The group concluded that Ribadu’s competence and experience make him the best fit for the NSA position, and that his removal would be a setback for Nigeria’s security efforts.
Meanwhile , the Oodua Peoples Network (OPN), a prominent socio-cultural organization, has come out in defense of National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu, criticizing Senator Francis Fadahunsi for urging President Bola Tinubu to replace him with a retired military officer.
In a statement signed by its President, Chief Olasupo Bamidele, the OPN described Senator Fadahunsi’s call for Ribadu’s removal as “disturbing” and an attempt to “throw up a matter as important as our collective national security to the court of public opinion”.
The group reminded Senator Fadahunsi that the position of NSA is not exclusive to military officers, citing examples of successful civilian NSAs in Nigeria and other countries, including the US and UK.
The OPN praised Ribadu’s leadership and diplomatic skills, saying he has helped improve Nigeria’s relations with the US administration and resolved security challenges.
The group urged Senator Fadahunsi to reflect on his position as a senator and use the appropriate channels to communicate his contributions to national security, rather than making public statements that could undermine the NSA’s efforts.
The OPN’s statement comes after Senator Fadahunsi urged President Tinubu to redeploy Ribadu to another area of national service, citing the need for a retired military officer as NSA.