A northern youth group, operating under the umbrella of the Northern Nigeria United Youth for Peace and Progress (NNUYPP), has expressed support for the Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, while criticising individuals it accused of fuelling disunity and insecurity in the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the group made its position known during a press conference in Kaduna, where it praised the Nigerian military for its recent efforts in tackling banditry and terrorism across parts of northern Nigeria and other regions.
According to the group’s Convener, Edward John Auta, and Co-Convener, Idris Mohammed, the country has recently witnessed a resurgence of attacks in several areas.
“Over the past few months, Nigeria has witnessed a troubling resurgence of attacks across different regions,” Auta said.
He added that the attacks were not only perpetrated by terrorists and bandits but were also being exploited by individuals and groups pursuing political or personal interests.
“These attacks are not only carried out by terrorists and bandits who continue to kill, kidnap, and displace innocent Nigerians; they are also being fueled by individuals and groups who seek to exploit insecurity for political or selfish interests,” he said.
Auta said that since the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, notable improvements had been recorded in the country’s security sector, adding that such progress had unsettled criminal elements and political actors.
He also commended Musa’s leadership style during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff, describing it as decisive and reform-oriented.
“General Musa distinguished himself with a no-nonsense approach to security. His leadership was marked by constant motivation of troops, a firm policy of no negotiation with bandits, improved inter-agency collaboration, and the adoption of effective non-kinetic strategies centered on partnerships with communities across the nation,” Auta said.
According to him, the former service chief’s tenure recorded significant reforms and operational successes across various regions of the country.
The group also criticised recent calls for Musa’s resignation, alleging that some critics were politically motivated.
Auta specifically referenced comments made by Abdul Dan Bature and activist Omoyele Sowore, which he described as unfair attacks on the minister.
While dismissing remarks attributed to Bature and his associates as lacking credibility among northern youths, Auta said Sowore’s criticisms reflected a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric aimed at attracting political attention.
“His consistent reliance on cyber-bullying through insults, blackmail, name-calling, character assassination, and inflammatory rhetoric against the President, members of his cabinet, and other national figures suggests a deliberate strategy aimed at attracting attention and possibly positioning himself for political relevance ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.
The group therefore called for a retraction and public apology over statements it described as disrespectful to the defence minister.
“Statements such as ‘Musa is the most foolish person to be made a minister’ do not reflect the values of respect, responsibility, unity and patriotism that Nigerians are known for,” Auta said.
The coalition also urged Nigerian youths to engage national leaders constructively rather than resort to insults or ridicule.
It further dismissed claims by Bature and his associates that northern youths were dissatisfied with Musa’s leadership, insisting that many young people in the region recognised ongoing improvements in the security sector.
The group reaffirmed its support for Musa and the administration of President Tinubu, expressing confidence that reforms in the defence sector would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve collaboration among security agencies.
It also called on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing intelligence and community support to help tackle insecurity across the country.
