I hope this letter reaches you in the best position of health and wellbeing, and I do hope you will find the time to go through the content of this letter. I feel duty bound as an ordinary citizen of Nigeria to draw your attention to some of the critical decisions that your government has taken. These decisions are very critical and could determine the stability of our country.
I am aware that you have advisors who have the responsibility to guide you in taking decisions, because as the leader of the country you will have to rely on the expertise of these advisors before you take a final position on issues. But I am also aware that a lot of government appointees are more interested in advancing their personal interest rather than guiding the president in the right direction.
Mr President, after the unfortunate church bombings in Jaji, the Chief of General Staff Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim ordered the removal of two senior Military officers from their respective positions in Jaji. They are, Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Kure and Major General Muhammad D. Isa. As the president and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed forces, I am sure you will agree that this critical decision cannot be taken without your consent. I also believe that you must have acted on the counsel of some of your advisors, but whether this is the right advice is an issue that you need to find time and think about. But the most important thing is the implication of this rushed decision which I would like to highlight.
First of all, the two senior officers were removed from their positions without proper investigation being completed. Professionally, there is need for caution in handling matters like this especially in a country like Nigeria where religion, ethnicity and regionalism constitute an unwritten form of constitution, and whatever the circumstance, a leader has to take this into consideration if he is to maintain the unity and peace of the country.
Secondly, both officers that were removed are Muslims, and immediately replaced by non Muslim officers. If you feel strongly, that these senior military officers have to be redeployed from their positions, you have the right to take action as the commander in chief; but looking at the security situation in Nigeria, and the division and lack of unity since the controversial 2011 general elections, you need to be cautious by replacing them with Muslim officers, that may douse the tension such action might generate; at least there should be enough Muslim Army Generals of the same calibre with an unquestionable loyalty to their country.
Thirdly, by replacing them with Christian officers under the current security climate, and if we are to believe newspaper reports that the entire control of Jaji is now in the hands of Christian officers after the redeployment of Air Vice Marshal Kure and Major General Isa, be rest assured that such a move will cause rancour and ill feeling especially from religious leaders, as it will definitely be seen as an attempt to use divide and rule tactics in favour of one religion over the other.
Mr President, beyond the points I have raised, my main concern in writing this letter is actually the wider implication this move could have on the stability of the Nigerian Army. The military institution in Nigeria is in my opinion the most professional, disciplined, and the fit for purpose institution in the country. As imperfect as the army may be, the brave Nigerian soldiers have stood for the country in the most difficult circumstances. They fought a bitter civil war to keep the country united; they have extended their professionalism in bringing stability to foreign countries like Congo in the 1950s, Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1990s, and are currently serving in the region of Darfur in Sudan aimed at bringing stability.
Mr President, after the unfortunate church bombings in Jaji, the Chief of General Staff Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim ordered the removal of two senior Military officers from their respective positions in Jaji. They are, Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Kure and Major General Muhammad D. Isa. As the president and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed forces, I am sure you will agree that this critical decision cannot be taken without your consent. I also believe that you must have acted on the counsel of some of your advisors, but whether this is the right advice is an issue that you need to find time and think about. But the most important thing is the implication of this rushed decision which I would like to highlight.
First of all, the two senior officers were removed from their positions without proper investigation being completed. Professionally, there is need for caution in handling matters like this especially in a country like Nigeria where religion, ethnicity and regionalism constitute an unwritten form of constitution, and whatever the circumstance, a leader has to take this into consideration if he is to maintain the unity and peace of the country.
Secondly, both officers that were removed are Muslims, and immediately replaced by non Muslim officers. If you feel strongly, that these senior military officers have to be redeployed from their positions, you have the right to take action as the commander in chief; but looking at the security situation in Nigeria, and the division and lack of unity since the controversial 2011 general elections, you need to be cautious by replacing them with Muslim officers, that may douse the tension such action might generate; at least there should be enough Muslim Army Generals of the same calibre with an unquestionable loyalty to their country.
Thirdly, by replacing them with Christian officers under the current security climate, and if we are to believe newspaper reports that the entire control of Jaji is now in the hands of Christian officers after the redeployment of Air Vice Marshal Kure and Major General Isa, be rest assured that such a move will cause rancour and ill feeling especially from religious leaders, as it will definitely be seen as an attempt to use divide and rule tactics in favour of one religion over the other.
Mr President, beyond the points I have raised, my main concern in writing this letter is actually the wider implication this move could have on the stability of the Nigerian Army. The military institution in Nigeria is in my opinion the most professional, disciplined, and the fit for purpose institution in the country. As imperfect as the army may be, the brave Nigerian soldiers have stood for the country in the most difficult circumstances. They fought a bitter civil war to keep the country united; they have extended their professionalism in bringing stability to foreign countries like Congo in the 1950s, Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1990s, and are currently serving in the region of Darfur in Sudan aimed at bringing stability.
But their most important contribution recently is staying away from politics since the return of civilian rule in 1999, and even at the time when cynics thought they could truncate our democracy when President Yar’Adua was sick, they worked hard to remain in the barracks, which enabled you to become Acting President and later President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The composition of the military command at the time, comprising of both Muslims and Christians officers working together must have contributed greatly in stabilising the polity; and I believe you can learn a lesson from that.
Finally, Mr President I advise you to avoid anything that will divide the Nigerian Army under whatever circumstance, because the implication of that will not be good for our country. I strongly recommend that you create time to read more about the political history of Nigeria especially between 1960 and 1970, and try to learn the lessons of what disunity in the Army could cause the country. I also advise that you consult widely with former Nigerian leaders and senior military officers who are still alive on issues related to the military, as they have the experience that current members of the armed forces may not have.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
By Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u
Dr Yusha’u is a senior lecturer in media and politics at Northumbria University,
Finally, Mr President I advise you to avoid anything that will divide the Nigerian Army under whatever circumstance, because the implication of that will not be good for our country. I strongly recommend that you create time to read more about the political history of Nigeria especially between 1960 and 1970, and try to learn the lessons of what disunity in the Army could cause the country. I also advise that you consult widely with former Nigerian leaders and senior military officers who are still alive on issues related to the military, as they have the experience that current members of the armed forces may not have.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
By Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u
Dr Yusha’u is a senior lecturer in media and politics at Northumbria University,
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Email: [email protected]
Good advice you give to Mr President. I hope if he read this he is going to think twice.
ReplyDeleteWho even put two Muslims incharge of Jaji in the first place? That is very wrong.... d muslims have had their time so let them give others a chance
ReplyDeleteNo Nigerian person should be asked of his or her place of origin and religion again if we don't want this country to shatter into pieces. This things are tearing us apart for goodness sake.If we are not ready to live together as one black nation let us go our separate ways. Haba
ReplyDeletesometimes i ask myself wat is the benefit of asking people of their place of origin or worship if it is not de creation of polticians to divide us
Deleteyour advice is good, but people should be cautioned.trouble is not good. killing innocent soul is not from God.
ReplyDeleteA good piece of advise, Doc.
ReplyDeleteI will like to point out 2 things here:
1. When issues arise that warrants some kind of investigations / allegations, the honorable thing to do is for the person(s) involved us to resign. This is to prevent interference with evidence and investigation.
Unfortunately, this is alien to Nigerians.
2. You rightly pointed out that 2 Muslim officers were replaced with non-Muslims. For me this should not be an issue at all because military is expected to be a professional body with no ethnic or religious bias. Secondly, when the 2 Muslim guys were there, did the Christians complained? Lets not make a mountain out of a mole hill.
The writer of this letter is a tool in d hands of the unscrupulous people who are bent on causing disharmony in this country. The letter should be disregarded and treated with a pinch of salt.
ReplyDeleteJameel, u are a selfish fool. When d two muslims were there, why didn't u complain? Animal. Let d country scatter now, who's scared?! If hunger no kill una 4 north.
ReplyDeleteNa you hunger go kill and scarter na we north de send food for u bagger stupid jaki animal kare dolo wawa mungu alade pig cow gorilla mr pjk
DeleteNo you hunger go kill not north no be we de send food for u wawa, jaki, dolo momo, akuya mr pjk
ReplyDeleteMy Bros from de South we av food in de North ok we r good farmers bt dnt mind dat useless selfish Teacher frm Newcastal abi na UK him callam ok. It true were ws him de 2 Muslam officers were appointed dat time e gud like dat abi bt now wai dem fuck up him still want make dem replace dem. Wit dem brothers again wen him Him self talk sai na profesionals be miliary y bring up de issue of Religion if He is not a selfish. Man we don't nid pple like dem in our poloty Na wit diz kind OT talk dem dey take decve our pple frm de North wai no go school woo .
ReplyDeleteRemember dat in Jaji, it is more than two key posts and d posts were held by muslims and xtians, so removing d two muslims dat were dere and replacing dem with non muslim will definitely carry conotations. Let's be reasonable.
ReplyDelete2 me, dis writer is d 1 tryin 2 disunite nigerians. Benkkada
ReplyDeleteFoolish writer u no know anything, for u to be bias.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this writer trying to emphasize on? are u telling us that u are interested in those officers that were removed or are u telling us that u are a Muslim fighting for Muslims right? What kind of nonsense letter and advice are u writing to Mr President? Are u not supposed to feel for the souls that were lost rather than fighting for whether it is a Muslim or Christian in that position.How many Christians lives has been lost in the past two years by this Boko Haram Bombing? is it not Christians life that are being wasted? are those people not some bodies brothers or sisters? If those officers that were removed are found wanting in that their formal positions they are supposed to be in jail by now. Are the Muslims not the ones in Charge of Jaji for many years? did the Christians complain? Instead of talking about who is the right person to handle such positions u are busy talking about Muslim or Christian in such position? are we not one Nigeria? Is Jaji not in the North? For many years until now has it not been the Muslim that has been heading almost all the high Military Positions in Nigeria? did the Christians complained? Which rancour and ill feelings did the religious leaders have then,was there any wide implication and instability in the Nigerian Army since then? were we not living in the spirit of one Nigeria since all these while? so why are u writing such letter because Muslims where removed and replaced by Christians? is that Position meant only for the Muslims? Mr Man please if u dont have any thing to write why not read what others are writing? U think u are intelligent enough to write this nonsense and call it open letter to the President.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this writer trying to emphasize on? are u telling us that u are interested in those officers that were removed or are u telling us that u are a Muslim fighting for Muslims right? What kind of nonsense letter and advice are u writing to Mr President? Are u not supposed to feel for the souls that were lost rather than fighting for whether it is a Muslim or Christian in that position.How many Christians lives has been lost in the past two years by this Boko Haram Bombing? is it not Christians life that are being wasted? are those people not some bodies brothers or sisters? If those officers that were removed are found wanting in that their formal positions they are supposed to be in jail by now. Are the Muslims not the ones in Charge of Jaji for many years? did the Christians complain? Instead of talking about who is the right person to handle such positions u are busy talking about Muslim or Christian in such position? are we not one Nigeria? Is Jaji not in the North? For many years until now has it not been the Muslim that has been heading almost all the high Military Positions in Nigeria. Did the Christians complained? Which rancour and ill feelings did the religious leaders have then,was there any wide implication and instability i the Nigerian Army since then? were we not living in the spirit of one Nigeria since all these while? so why are u writing such letter because Muslims where removed and replaced by Christians? is that Position meant only for the Muslims? Mr Man please if u dont have any thing to write why not read what others are writing? U think u are intelligent enough to write this nonsense and call it open letter to the President.
ReplyDeletei have to resend to show who i am. To hell with who ever right that letter.He need a Job!! Aboki!!!
ReplyDeletedont mind dat BIG COW.he does not kwn wat he is sayin.is d position ment 4 only muslims.right under der noise bomb xplosed those officers will tell me dat der r no capable security in barrack.it is a slap on der face as an officer 2 allow such a tin 2 happen.then wre is safe.dat big FOOL wre di he not write 2 advise d prisident on hw 2 eliminate boko haram der writin rubblish maybe is ink is full dat y he does nt kwn wat 2 write.idiot
ReplyDeleteThis is pointless the person dat wrote this is merely being sentimental. Am sure if it were christian officers dat were removed and redeployed this person will not have written this.
ReplyDeletemy brother or sis,am in support of what u said,is dis writer trying to bring solutions to the problem of insecurity,killing of helpless christains for no just cause in Nigeria or he is just adding salt to injury all in the name of advice .dear Mr.president may the lord grant you wisdom.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteInfact i strongly believe the writer of this letter is a member of Boko Haram,who is not happy that their men were removed from their position.I think he is angry because that position gives their members opportunity to operate well and it has been taking away from them now...
ReplyDelete