A former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), has stated that politics destroyed the nation’s security and can certainly fix that challenge.
Speaking on Channels Programme, ‘Politics Today’, Irabor said: “Every security problem that we have, every violence, every issue caused by violence is a result of politics.
“Indeed, and that’s why politics is often managed as conflict. So when you are not able to manage conflict, then of course you are failing in politics. So if that failure leads to violence, then the military is deployed.
“What are you doing? You are trying to implement policies that impinge on political decisions, which will help the political class gain traction in what they are doing.
While dismissing the belief that soldiers or military personnel deployed for election could be political, he said: “Every man, every human is a political animal.
“Soldiers are men and women who belong to a profession that serves as an instrument of policy implementation for the state.
“So to that extent, because you are subject to a civil or a political authority, we often think that political decisions impact military actions and activities, which is wrongly assessed.
“But when talking about partisan politics, this is where we need to draw a line that soldiers certainly cannot and have never been deployed for partisan politics.
Referring to his recently released book, Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, Irabor said, “I think documenting all those experiences is essential. Political decisions have a lot of implications for agents of governments that are responsible for policy implementation.
“So the aggregate of the contributions of each of these establishments points you right to what you see as security or under security or, if you like, the state of your security.
“… Don’t forget that our politics in Nigeria is slightly too toxic. And that is also part of the book to say that we need to begin pivoting on some of Nigeria’s political approaches. As such, our design, if you like, our objective should be people-centred.
“Let the people first, let the services we want to provide be based on our political leverage. Let it be centred on the people, and ensure that the leaders are those who make the money.
“The argument about this, of course, with good governance, is not to give us a sense of safety and defence. So politics is a critical component. Politics destroys our security. And politics is what certainly will fix it,” he said
Arewa Group Warns Against Undermining Dangote Refinery, Seeks Govt Support
A northern socio-political and economic advocacy group, Arewa 100% Focus, has criticised the ongoing “victimisation and hostility” directed towards the Dangote Refinery and its founder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
It called for urgent intervention by the federal government.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the group’s president, Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Sa’ad (Fakai), decried the “escalating dispute” between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Group, characterising the situation as “unjust, unpatriotic, and detrimental to national interest.”
“We firmly condemn the escalating dispute between the Dangote Group and PENGASSAN, as well as the unwarranted antagonism directed at Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” Sa’ad stated.
“This hostility toward a man whose vision, enterprise, and investments have catalysed Nigeria’s industrial transformation is unjust, unpatriotic, and detrimental to national interest. Rather than persecution, such monumental contributions deserve recognition, respect, and national gratitude.”
The group expressed concern over deliberate attempts to sabotage and discredit the Dangote Refinery, warning that such actions could undermine a critical national asset.
“We denounce all acts of sabotage, misinformation, and economic hostility targeted at the Dangote Refinery,” the statement continued.
“These actions, whether overt or subtle, represent deliberate attempts to undermine a strategic national asset and discredit the spirit of private-sector-led development that Nigeria urgently needs for economic sovereignty and global competitiveness.”
The Arewa group also underscored the Dangote Group’s significant national impact, particularly in the downstream petroleum sector.
It said the refinery is not merely a private enterprise but a “symbol of national pride” and a testament to African industrial resilience.
“We acknowledge and celebrate the Dangote Group’s unrivalled role in addressing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum challenges and paving the path toward national self-sufficiency in producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),” said Sa’ad.
“The Dangote Refinery stands as a symbol of national pride, representing African innovation, resilience, and capacity for industrial excellence.”
The group further called on the federal government and regulatory bodies to offer greater protection to the refinery from what they described as “undue interference, bureaucratic intimidation, and economic sabotage.”
“This refinery is not merely a private enterprise—it is a national economic lifeline and a cornerstone of Nigeria’s future industrial sustainability,” the group added.
In addition, Arewa 100% Focus appealed to the media, civil society organisations, and public commentators to responsibly cover issues surrounding the refinery.
“The media must resist manipulative narratives designed to tarnish the image of the refinery or erode public confidence in one of Africa’s greatest industrial achievements,” said the group’s leader.
Sa’ad reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to continued advocacy and monitoring of developments related to the refinery.
He emphasised that Arewa 100% Focus would remain vigilant in ensuring that policies and public discourse support industrial growth, job creation, and economic self-reliance.
“We shall persist in ensuring that policy directions remain supportive of industrial transformation, job creation, and Nigeria’s march toward economic self-reliance and prosperity,” he declared
