The appointment of Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa (Rtd) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Adviser on Homeland Security has sparked reactions from Nigerians questioning the rationale behind the office, saying it is alien to the country’s security formation, news.ng reports.
Recall that on Monday, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement on X, announced the appointment of Famadewa.
According to the statement, the appointment of Famadewa is in line with the President’s commitment to strengthen internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country.
This, however, did not go well with some Nigerians demanding explanations from the presidency on the difference between the Special Adviser on Homeland Security and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) being headed by Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
Reacting to the appointment of Famadewa, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a post on X, said the term “homeland” is historically rooted, which is predominantly used in countries like the United States of America, Germany, among others, criticising the move as meaningless.
According to the ADC spokesperson, the President should replace NSA Ribadu with Famadewa if he has lost interest in the former.
He said, “President Tinubu has just appointed a Major General as ‘Special Adviser on Homeland Security.’ The term ‘homeland’ is ideological and historically rooted. It makes sense in contexts like the United States, Germany, Israel, or Palestine. In Nigeria, it is largely meaningless.
“If the President no longer has confidence in his National Security Adviser, he should simply replace him, not create a new office with a copycat title.”
Also, Oseloka Obaze, the 2017 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Anambra State, in his reaction, explained that the appointment of Famadewa will weaken the powers of NSA Ribadu, adding that this will create confusion over who is really in charge.
He stated, “Something is curiously afoot in the inner orbit of Nigeria’s national security architecture. The appointment of a Special Adviser on Homeland Security is beyond split ends. Perhaps, it’s the perfunctory “red circling” of the incumbent NSA, which is indicative of a subterranean unfolding. Two presumptive heads of a single security entity translates to devolution as well as diminution of powers and responsibilities. It could also mean a vote of “limited confidence,” if not outright decertification. Either way, APC’s management of national security remains subpar. We watch the red handwriting on the wall with bemused scepticism.”
