By Yahaya Umar
A group known as Concerned Niger Deltans for Peace and Development has passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa ,retd, for his dedication to the fight against insecurity in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country.
Besides, the group praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing the former Chief of Defence Staff to serve in his cabinet as minister; describing it as a square peg in a square hole.
AljazirahNigeria reports that this is coming after one Abdul Danbature, claiming to be speaking for Arewa Youths, called for the immediate sacking of Musa and also likened him to a content creator.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba, the Delta state capital, Monday, the socio-cultural group condemned the unprovoked attacks and cheap blackmail against the person of the Minister of Defence, who has dedicated many years of his life to serving the nation.
The group said it is because of the efforts of General Christopher Musa towards protecting lives and property that the country is enjoying the amount of peace and stability, slamming the likes of “an ungrateful Danbature, who has no honour but sit in their comfort zones to insult the selfless sacrifices of military General”.
The meeting was chaired by the group’s National President, Honourable Freeborn Itewo, who also doubles as SA on Community Affairs.to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Others in attendance were: Patience Humphrey, Woman Leader, Bassey Ekemene (Akwa-Ibom State Rep), Felix Akassa (Bayelsa representative), Comrade Amb. Victor Monday Olajide (JP) (Edo State representative), Itoro Eno Sunday (Cross River representative), Ike Godwin (Rivers State representative), and Comrade Lucky Jonah, a Niger Delta stakeholder, amongst critical stakeholders and members of the group.
They called on Arewa youths to desist from further attacks against General Christopher Musa and tender an unreserved apology to the minister; saying such campaign of calumny because of his religious background will no longer be tolerated.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the meeting, the national president of the group, Itewo, said General Musa is equal to the task given to him, and urged the likes of Danbature to support the anti-insurgency efforts of the government, rather than hiding under the cover of Arewa youths to spread misleading information about the Minister.
He said the minister is giving the troops and the service chiefs all the necessary support it takes to flush out bandits and terrorists in Northern Nigeria; saying it is the people of the north who are complaining that the insurgents are their brothers and should not be touched.
“Is the so-called Danbature not aware of the gains the armed forces have made since General Christopher Musa took over as Defence Minister?
“Is it because Musa is a Christian that he’s now coming out to persecute him? When Mohammed Badaru Abubakar was there as Minister of Defence, how many times did they call for his resignation?
“They should not bring that leg because we will not take it. Musa has distinguished himself and the people of Nigeria love him, especially the people of the Niger Delta, because of his commitment to the fight against these bloody terrorists that have declared war on innocent citizens.
“The reason we passed a vote of confidence on the Honourable Minister is simple: he’s doing his job very well, and with the way and manner he’s doing it, these terrorists will have no hiding place in the country in the near future
“Since he was appointed minister of defence, he has been strengthening counter-insurgency operations, driving technological modernization (drones, cyber defense), promoting indigenous defense manufacturing, and improving troops’ welfare”.
