Mixed Reactions Trail Azazi, Bello’s Sack

Former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi (rtd),

Mixed reactions yesterday trailed the sack of the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi (rtd), and the Minister of Defence, Dr Muhammed Bello.

 Dr Olapade Agoro, a former Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, said that the removal of the two officials was long overdue.

 “There was no justification for the men to remain in office in the face of the worsening security situation in the country. There are more in the President’s cabinet that should go,’’ he was quoted as saying by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

 He said the Boko Haram insurgency would be checked faster if handled by better hands.

Agoro urged Jonathan to remain focused and courageous in tackling the Boko Haram menace.

In his reaction, Chief Maxi Okwu, National Coordinator, Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria — an association of opposition political parties – said the removal of the two men was justified.

Mr Tony Uranta, Secretary-General, United Niger Delta Energy Development and Security Strategy, said that the president had the right to sack any political appointee.

He hoped that the appointment of Dasuki would facilitate the resolution of the Boko Haram problem and other national security issues.

“I join Nigerians in praying that this heralds a new positive era in our nation’s security. One thing I know is that Nigeria is destined for greatness under the leadership of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” Uranta said.

 Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, advised that the nation’s security matters should be handled holistically.

 “The security situation in the country cannot be handled in bits. It will be like paper-walling a cracked wall,’’ the cleric said.

 The President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, told NAN that Azazi and Bello ought to have been given more time.

 “More time should have been given, considering the progress and impact made so far in the war against terrorism.

 “A new man will require a lot of time to understand the terrain,’’ Yerima said. 

Also, spokesman of Save Nigeria Group, Mr. Yimka Odumakin, yesterday described the sudden sack of former National Security Adviser to the President, General Andrew Owoye Azazi, as “long overdue,” pointing out however that Azazi and the former Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Haliru, were merely sacrificed to placate some powerful interests.

Odumakin told The Nation, in a telephone interview, that the former NSA’s conducts “did not show that he had the capacity to solve the current security riddle threatening the very existence of the country. He spoke more and acted more as a politician than a general ready to tackle the security challenge. So, his sack was long overdue,” he said.

The activist however said, “I do not think he is the problem. He was working under a Commander-in-Chief, who was more or less a Mourner-in-Chief. President Goodluck Jonathan just sacked Azazi to placate some powerful interests. He only made Azazi and the former Minister of Defence escape goats. They are not the problem. I think the problem is that we have a weak presidency.”

On the newly appointed NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (Retd), Odumakin said, “I don’t know what he is bringing on board. All we know was that he was a former ADC to former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida. He did not get to the top of the military hierarchy. May be the calculation is that his background may help to access the core north. Otherwise, I do not see what qualifies him for that job,” he said.