Newly appointed Defense Minister Aliyu Gusau has resigned. Mr. Gusau’s sudden decision to quit President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet arose from what the former minister considered an act of insubordination and indiscipline from Nigeria’s top military brass. Several sources at the Defense Ministry told SaharaReporters that Nigeria’s top military officers yesterday refused to have a joint meeting with Mr. Gusau and his deputy, Musikilu Obanikoro, a former senator. Sources at the ministry told SaharaReporters that Nigeria’s top military henchmen kept Mr. Gusau waiting for two days after he summoned them to a meeting, with different military service chiefs making excuses for their inability to meet with him and his deputy immediately. Finally, the situation turned testy yesterday when, after keeping Mr. Gusau and Mr. Obanikoro waiting for several hours, the Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, showed up alone for a meeting. “When Air Marshal Badeh showed up, the Minister of Defense told him he was expecting all the chiefs of staff within the military, but Badeh reportedly told him there was no need,” said one source at the ministry. Our sources added that Badeh also told Mr. Gusau that he alone would be meeting with the minister as the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), stating that this arrangement was the collective decision of military officers in the country. One source said an attempt by the junior minister of defense, Mr. Obanikoro, to intervene was rudely brushed aside as Badeh asked him to “shut up.” “Air Marshal Badeh is said to have called Senator Obanikoro a ‘small boy’ and warned him that the military was not going to be taking orders anymore from bloody civilians like him,” one source stated. Soon after the altercation, General Gusau (rtd) reportedly ended the meeting and asked the Permanent Secretary in the ministry to transmit his letter of resignation to President Goodluck Jonathan. SaharaReporters learnt that Mr. Jonathan, who was rattled by the development, immediately charged Senate President David Mark with the task of prevailing on Mr. Gusau to rescind his resignation. The president reportedly promised to see that the issue was resolved expeditiously. However, a source stated that Mr. Gusau remained infuriated and refused to back away from his decision to leave the cabinet. Late last night, President Jonathan paid a visit to Mr. Gusau’s home in Abuja in a last-ditch effort to persuade him to stay at his ministerial job, but Mr. Gusau refused to see the president. Mr. Gusau kept away from today’s session of the Federal Executive Council, a weekly meeting of all ministers with the president. He reportedly told aides that he could not serve in a situation where military officers would show open disdain for their civilian leaders and him an experienced retired military man. SaharaReporters contacted Mr. Obanikoro who admitted obliquely that there was what he termed a “slight disagreement,” but added that there was nothing serious. An aide to Senator David Mark told SaharaReporters that Mr. Gusau had sent his letter of resignation to the Senate, which confirmed him after his nomination. The source added, however, that Mr. Mark had refused to have the resignation letter read because the senator was still hopeful of convincing Mr. Gusau to remain at his post. Comments 70 comment(s) Post a comment SHAME ON YOU GEN. GUSAU! Submitted by Udo udofia. (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. Three HEARTY CHEERS TO THE MILTARY HIGH COMMAND. Gen. Gusau is just greedy like his friend-IBB. Eles, what is he looking for???? Aliyu Dasuki died and Gen. Gusau married Aliyu Dasukis wife just to inherit stolen Nigeria (Nations Wealth) which Aliyu Dasuki was keeping for IBB and ABACHA. In annoyance, Abacha banished Sultan Dasuki from Sokoto till date. The same Gusau was to be retired for fraud and thievery by Buhari before he and IBB terminated the BUHARI / IDIAGBON rule in 1985. He worked for OBJ as NSA and that was when Boko Haram started in Borno State in the days of SAS as governor. Gusau didnt do anything to stop the killings then. Why is he back now as a minister when he had contested along with GEJ to be president in the 2011 PDP primaries. Let him come back and live in Uyo Govt House and continue the looting of Akwa Ibom State Treasury with Akpabio his friend, while the rightful owners of the money are dying in abject poverty. Shame on Gen. Gusau! reply Separation is long over due- Submitted by redeem d fake redeemers (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. What some of us do not seem to understand is that the Military is under great pressure to deliver-on their promises-9jas are sick and tired of hearing BH crisis will end next week or on October 1st-9jas are no longer prepared to accept any of the stories that the soldiers have been telling us- In spite of the trillions that are being pumped into fighting boko haram--Yet no end in sight-Soldiers are not paid salaries-ati allowances among others when due-9ja factor also put to play-that is-its now d turn of d new service chiefs to chop awuf oil money-stories coming from the war zone also indicate that our soldiers are equally involved in the killings-meaning some are being hired to kill 4 boko haram-Gusua should have reported d matter to Gej-b4 alerting d media-clear as day light that d soldiers are planning a coup-to sack Gej for APC-but they should be told not to task their luck 2 far sha-9ja is not egypt- reply on Gusau, GEJ should not have gone to his house Submitted by PolyGon2013 (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. The military has insulted the authority of their boss (minister of defense). That said, the CDS was very rude, and I think he should be relieved of his duty to show that military should be subordinate to civilians. That said, GEJ has insulted himself with visiting Gusau and begging him. Anyway, Gusau should not go back, and GEJ should appoint somebody else in that capacity. Somebody else should be appointed as the defense minister immediately. reply Save Our Democracy Submitted by Efe (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. If the content of this report as it relates to the reaction of the CDS is anything to go by, then, there is cause for worry. I recall the Lower House (Ctte on Finance or so) requested (directed?) a relocation of the Army HQ temporarily to Borno the other time; Im not certain what the response to that request is. Hmm, Nigeria, my dear country ... Wake up people!!! reply Naivety or Stupidity? Submitted by Mugari (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. He,as the president and commander-in-chief went to a man who he is trying to persuade to remain as his minister and the said man bounced him: and he is still sending emissaries to persuade that same person who refused to see him to withdraw his letter of resignation! Would somebody be kind enough to tell me why the president is still retaining Sambo Dasuki as the NSA after performing below par in comparison with his predecessor,a Southerner? I dey Laff . reply An UnlikelynSyory Submitted by Gab (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. Probably all part of a disinformation campaign against the Federal Government by disgruntled elements. reply Here in Germany defence Submitted by ModyHH (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. Here in Germany defence Ministers visit their fighting soldiers including the Army Chiefs at the war front and not the other way round. Perhaps Jonathan should let retired men like Gasau retire. reply You have spoken my mind. No Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. You have spoken my mind. No comment again from my side. reply We Need Coup Submitted by Myson (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. Nigeria Military if they worth the uniform they put on, has moral right not to take orders from the criminals masquerading as politicians. Since 1999, these criminal politicians have enough time and resources to turn the country around in positive direction. But they prefer to loot the whole resources, leaving the country in a state of nature. Most of the problems facing the country are caused by the criminal politicians. They want the ill equipped, unmotivated and poorly paid military to fight the Terrorist and Militias springing up all over the country with their blood while the Criminal politicians are looting the resources in billions of dollars with no accountability. Since the Nigeria masses cannot come together to demand the system change, the only option is for the military to take over the government and restore sanity to the country. If the military refuse, they the military will fight the coming civil and religious war with their blood. reply Nigeria Military if they Submitted by Myson (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. Nigeria Military if they worth the uniform they put on, has moral right not take orders from the criminals masquerading as politicians. Since 1999, these criminal politicians have enough time and resources to turn the country around in positive direction. But they prefer to loot the whole resources, leaving the country in a state of nature. Most of the problems facing the country are caused by the criminal politicians. They want the ill equipped, unmotivated and poorly paid military to fight the Terrorist and Militias springing up all over the country with their blood while the Criminal politicians are looting the resources in billions of dollars with no accountability. Since the Nigeria masses cannot come together to demand the system change, the only option is for the military to take over the government and restore sanity to the country. If the military refuse, they the military will fight the coming civil and religious war with their blood. reply Mr Gusau and CDS Submitted by Wale Odufuwa (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. My advice to Gusau: Please dont accept the plead from Jonathan. He will ruin your highly earned world reputation. The ovation is high now pls leave and go to your village to rest. You have been recycled more than enough. You have lost the respect of the military which Jonathan cant give back to you. Please Go, Go and Go before it is too late. Lots Of Love. Wale Odufuwa. reply U dont know what ur saying Submitted by Some body (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. U dont know what ur saying reply Abi, Fellow Nigerians dey come? Submitted by RUBEN Abati (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM. It is no longer a secret to even the ordinary Nigerian that governments’ efforts at tackling the nation’s now-complicated security challenges has not been effective because of lack of cooperation among security agencies. This is not the time for power-grabbing tendencies at all. Is it not absurd that some services hide their unwillingness to cooperate with others under the guise of the dichotomy in terms of functions and assignments between the Ministry of Interior and that of defence? This is one area that the new defense minister has to address as he is expected to provide a meeting point under one command because a house that is divided against itself cannot stand not to even talk of recording a single dot as tangible achievement - Ifeanyi Izeze reply Jonathan always toes the wrong line! Submitted by danboyi gomsuk (not verified) on Mar, 12 2014, 11:03AM.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 17:08:32 +0000