This week has shown Ribadu’s erratic and irrational behaviour. Those who once thought Ribadu could one day become a president are raising their doubts about his ability to do this.
This week has been quite comical for the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu. The responses, or lack thereof, proved that Nigeria’s national security adviser cannot deal with difficult challenges.
First, the week’s tension started with Haj. Naja’atuMohammed, when the NSA’s lawyer demanded a public apology and retraction of her TikTok video. In the video, she recalled that the NSA had called Tulumbu the “most corrupt politician” when he was the EFCC Chairman.
The northern stalwart clarified that she would not retract her statement against Ribadu. She even made another video saying that what she said was what the NSA had said years ago.
Since then, Ribadu and his lawyers have found a way to avoidshame by remaining silent. They realised that “Naja” was not as soft as the Kano State Deputy Governor, who quickly apologised when the NSA threatened a court case following his allegation about the NSA’s involvement in the Kano Emirate crisis.
Second. On Thursday, the NSA made a diplomatic howler by publicly telling the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria “to go to hell” after its embassy denied visas to the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa and some high military command officers. Many are surprised how he bypassed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and went on a public tirade
A report shows that the Canadian embassy refused to give themilitary officers visas because protocols were not followed. The embassy expected the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issuea “note verbale” as a supporting document for their application. Surprisingly, the NSA failed to see this position or consider investigating this issue. But he will not see it because it is out of his jurisdiction.
It will be shameful for Nigeria and the NSA if this turns out to be true. Canada cannot give Nigerian security delegation official visas based on self-recognition. Besides, where is theallowing Minister of Foreign Affairs when his job is needed? It is uncultured and undiplomatic for the NSA to charge sovereign countries like this.
Third. On Friday, Binance’s head of financial crime, TigranGambaryan, made a huge allegation about the NSA in a series of tweets on his X page. But the NSA has kept mum. Let’s recall that Gambaryan was detained in Nigeria for several months. He claimed that Mr Ribadu hired a US law firm to negotiate his release from detention while in Nigerian custody, but the move failed due to NSA’s “incompetence and greed”.
According to Gambaryan, “Ribadu emphasised that he wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition. However, when the corruption scandal came to light, he was trapped—because any settlement would now be perceived as a bribe. I guess he really wanted his boss’s job.”
Ribadu or his lawyers have yet to respond to this allegation. However, I have seen some high-street public commentators making weak efforts to defend the NSA. The old story of the $15 million bribe rejection is a myth; we have no evidence apart from Ribadu’s word of mouth. The truth is that we don’t know what we don’t know.
If ambition can make people sign a pact with the devil, then Ribadu can demand a bribe. After all, we don’t have any evidence from other parties about his famous rejection of a $15 million bribe offer. He made his bed and let him lie on it. Ribadu is indefensible.
Fourth. Nigerians woke up to America’s late-night drama. A right-wing conspiracy theorist who is also a US Congressman, Scott Perry, went public with his announcement. He made a strong claim that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was funding terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. This is more like a justification for the US fiscal cuts on foreign aid, but it has gone far.
As the NSA, he is expected to respond quickly by setting up an investigation to verify or debunk the claims, just as he did when he pounced on the Kano State Deputy Governor, Naja, or even the Canadian embassy.
The first three issues were either personal or outside his jurisdiction. However, the USAID allegations and Boko Haram are security issues. He should have made an effort to make a statement. His lack of response shows his incompetence and lack of capacity to lead.
This week has shown Ribadu’s erratic and irrational behaviour. Those who once thought Ribadu could one day become a president are raising their doubts about his ability to do this.
Besides, his bosses already know this, and his public actions only confirm what they know behind closed doors. I bet they already regret allowing him to get this close to power.
N.A.