Amina Anebi Kaduna

Group known as Musawah For Youth & Development Initiative has cautioned ex presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore against unguarded utterances against the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa.

This was expressed at a press briefing in Kaduna on Thursday, at the Musawah Head office along , Yakowa Way Adjacent Ahmed Musa, Kaduna State.

National Coordinator of Musawah Initiative, Ambassador. Dr. Polycarp Gankon at the briefing, described Sowore’s choice of words as disrespectful,

Dr Polycarp Gankon said, his choice of words against the Minister of Defence shows how disrespectful, irresponsible, parochial and rude he can be, little wonder he can’t ever achieve his leadership aim.

“Or is there something Sowore is benefitting when serious national security discussions are reduced to political theatre designed primarily for social media attention?” He queried.

He lamented that at a time when Nigerian soldiers are risking their lives daily in the fight against terrorism and banditry, why would public commentators choose to ridicule national security discussions instead of supporting efforts to strengthen them.

“It is unfortunate that Sowore has refused to be serious in his life, always behaving like a street charlatan who does not understand governance yet he wants to be president of over 250 million Nigerians,” he said.

Ambassador Gankon explained that their attention was drawn to a recent public statement and social media videos in which Mr. Omoyele Sowore and a so-called group Arewa Youths, led by one Abdul Dan Bature, launched attacks against the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa.

“In the circulated remarks, Dan Bature called for the removal of the Honourable Minister from office over rising insecurity while Mr. Sowore publicly mocked the Minister’s proposal to strengthen Nigeria’s border security, ridiculing the suggestion that Nigeria should reinforce its borders to reduce insecurity.

“These statements have generated significant online debate. However, they have also contributed to misinformation and unnecessary politicisation of a very serious national issue.

“The Distinguished Service Record of General Christopher MusaGeneral Christopher Musa is not a social media personality.

“He is a career military officer who has devoted decades of his life to the Defence of Nigeria.Throughout his professional career in the Armed Forces, he has served in numerous operational and strategic positions and has played key roles in the fight against insurgency, terrorism, and banditry across different regions of the country,” he further explained.

He said that like many security leaders around the world, he also communicates publicly to explain national security challenges and reassure citizens. Responsible communication with the public should never be mischaracterised as “content creation.”

” While criticism is part of democracy, Nigerians are also entitled to ask important questions about those who make sweeping attacks against national security leadership,” he urged.

He continued, “For Dan Bature, the so-called Arewa Youth leader, we advise that you should join others to support the minister in his quest to restore peace across communities in Nigeria instead of joining forces against him.

“The north is facing multiple security challenges and the minister is doing his best to stem the tide. He does not need distraction now from road side gossips.

“For President Bola Tinubu to have appoint Gen. Christopher Musa Minister of Defence after he served as Chief of Defence staff means he trust his capacity and ability to deliver.”

The group said that Nigeria’s security challenges are too serious to be trivialised through sensational commentary or politically motivated attacks.

“Constructive criticism is welcome in a democracy. However, such criticism must be responsible, informed, and directed towards strengthening national institutions rather than undermining public confidence in them,” he appealed.

They therefore, called on all public commentators, activists, and political actors to approach discussions on national security with the seriousness and patriotism the subject demands.