The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has intensified criticism of Nigeria’s current defense leadership, calling for significant ministerial changes in response to ongoing national security challenges. The organization’s National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, issued a strongly worded statement condemning Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar’s recent public remarks about insurgency.
The youth council took particular exception to the minister’s characterization of the ongoing conflict as a guerilla-style war, arguing that his statements demonstrate a fundamental lack of strategic leadership. They critiqued the minister’s admission of the military’s operational limitations, viewing his comments as demoralizing and counterproductive to national security efforts.
In addition to demanding the minister’s removal, the organization also criticized a House of Representatives member, Hon. Ahmadu Jaha, for what they perceived as undermining national security discourse. The youth council argued that such public statements potentially damage military morale and national unity.
The press release emphasized the urgent need for a more proactive and strategic approach to national security. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action by replacing the current Defence Minister with a more capable leader who can effectively coordinate armed forces and address the country’s complex security challenges.
The organization’s statement represents a significant intervention in the ongoing national dialogue about military effectiveness and leadership accountability in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insurgency.