YPP hails Tinubu over Gen Musa’s appointment as Defence Minister

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has commended President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (retd), as the new Minister of Defence, describing it as a round peg in a round hole and aligning with the party’s consistent advocacy that matters of national security should never be politicised.

Nigerian Tribune recalls that President Tinubu, this week, nominated General Musa as a replacement for the erstwhile Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who resigned citing health reasons. 

A communique signed by YPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, at the end of its 24th Extraordinary National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was held on Thursday at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, charged the President to exercise his power and sack all non-performing heads of security agencies whose performance has fallen short of expectations.

“The NEC commends the recent appointment of General Christopher Musa as the Minister of Defence. His appointment is viewed as a round peg in a round hole and aligns with our consistent advocacy that matters of national security should never be politicised.

“We reiterate that strategic security positions must be entrusted to capable professionals rather than offered as tools of political patronage. In this regard, we call on the President to extend this renewed seriousness to all non-performing heads of security agencies, especially the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, whose performance has fallen short of expectations.”

The party, nonetheless, condemned in strong terms the alleged attempt by the President or any group to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, saying it is a direct attempt at stifling Nigeria’s political process. 

“The NEC strongly condemns any attempt by the President or any group of political actors to steer Nigeria towards a one-party state. The strength and beauty of democracy lies in healthy multiparty competition, respect for dissent and the freedom of political association.

“Any action aimed at stifling opposition or undermining pluralism is a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability and will be firmly resisted through every legitimate democratic means.” 

The party also ratified the expulsion of the member of House of Representatives representing Nnewi, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Honourable Uzokwe Ifeanyi Peter, following multiple petitions and verified video evidence of anti-party activities constituting gross misconduct in violation of the Party’s Constitution, particularly Section 36(7), Article (b, f & o), pages 70 and 71, which clearly outline offences and sanctions. 

44 members of the party’s NEC supported the motion for the expulsion of the Honourable member from YPP as the party reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for acts that undermine party unity, discipline and cohesion.

The NEC, also in pursuance of the provisions of Section 82(1), (2), and (3) of the Electoral Act 2022, announced the election of national officers to fill existing vacancies. 

Those elected are Hajiya Nana Aisha Mahmoud as Deputy National Chairperson; Honourable Chigozie Gerald Udogu, Deputy National Secretary; Barrister Uche Levis, National Legal Adviser; Honourable Owoyombo Gbenga Solomon, Acting National Youth Leader; Sir Paul Chukwuma, National Leader; Honourable Sani M. Darma, North West Zonal Chairman and Honourable Olatunbosun Abolarinwa as the National Security Adviser. 

The NEC, while congratulating the newly elected officers, urged them to discharge their duties with diligence, integrity and unwavering commitment to the ideals of the YPP. 

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