The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Badeh

  • Badeh’s swan song

    It was just a matter of time before they were sacked. The public had expected that they would be shown the way out immediately after President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29. But the president chose to bide his time and for this Nigerians tagged him Baba go slow. It is good to know what one is doing. If the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu  Badeh, and others had been sacked before July 13, we may have missed out in the theatrical tantrums now being thrown up by Badeh.

    The president has shown that he knows what he is doing. While we were accusing him of being too slow, he would have been having a good laugh at us because only he knows what he wants to do – remember “I am for nobody and I am for everybody”.  He warned us in his inauguration speech with that statement, but we chose to make light of what he said.

    It was a long wait as we waited on him to fire the Defence and Service chiefs. It is the practice for a new leader to  pick those he will work with to ensure their loyalty to him. A leader who does not make a wise choice in this regard will suffer the consequences of his action. Besides, Buhari knows the military inside out having served in the institution and rising to become its Commander-in-Chief in 1983.

    That was buhari’s first coming as head of state and for 18 months before his ouster by his army chief, then Maj Gen Ibrahim Babanginda, Nigerians saw what he could do. His 18-month tenure as military  head of state was his defining moment and it marked the beginning of his lasting romance with the people. As head of state, he provided purposeful leadership even though he was dictatorial. What I still don’t understand is why will a former military leader command such large political followership some 30 years after leaving office.

    What this says is whether a military or civilian leader, the people are less concerned as long as their expectations are met. Beyond being tired of the immediate past government, Buhari’s clean record also accounted majorly for the people’s choice of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last elections. So, they were expecting him to move at the speed of light just as he did as military leader. He has chosen to be slow and steady.

    It’s been about a month since he fired Badeh, the Service chiefs – Lt Gen Kenneth Mininah (army),  Admiral Usman Jibrin (navy), Air Vice Marshal SolBadeh does not cut the image of the straight ram rod soldier that we know of. You cannot see hm in mufti and ever think that he is a soldier, but he ended up being our CDS, courtesy of former Presdent Goodluck Jonathan. We cannot blame Jonathan for making him CDS, we should blame Badeh for not rising to his office. Following his appointment in January 2014, he vowed that by April, Boko Haram would have been history. He did not deliver on his promise until he left office.

    When he was making that promise did he  not take stock of his weapons? Or did he speak without knowing what he had in his armoury? You do not fight a war with mouth, you do so with arms and ammunition. Now he is telling us that he vowed to rout Boko Haram with bare hands. Is that a serious CDS? Badeh was a disaster of a CDS. He was just talk, talk and talk; no action. I am not surprised that he still does that in retirement. The man simply enjoys listening to his voice. The problem is that he does not know when to stop.

    This is why today he is indicting himself with his own mouth. That shows you how brilliant an officer he is. Is it not the same Badeh who is today lamenting the state of the military that was praising Jonathan for equipping the military? Where are the equipment today? If the military had no equipment, as he said, with what did he want his troops to fight Boko Haram?  We now know why some soldiers refused to face the insurgents.  Do you fight a well equipped group like Boko Haram with your hands? Why was Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima crucified by Badeh and other officers when he said Boko Haram is better equipped than the military?

    Has Badeh not today confirmed Shettima’s statement? Why didn’t he speak up then? Why is he doing so now? Is it because he was fired? Did he expect that he would be CDS for life? Our leaders don’t have the fear of God. If they do, some of them will not behave the way they do as if there is no tomorrow. Badeh who yesterday was court martialling some officers and soldiers for fleeing from fighting Boko Haram  is today unwittingly justifying those men’s action with his statement. What allocutus (mitigation of sentence plea) could be better than this? Even going by what he said should the men have been tried in the first place?

    Badeh was CDS of a kind? When the Chibok school girls were abducted in April last year, he felt unconcerned. When his Vintim hometown in Adamawa State was overrun by Boko Haram, he saw nothing bad in that. To him, it could have, as well, been an attack on the village of any other Nigerian. The insurgents’ action was lost on him – that the attack was a message to Nigerians that even their highest security chief can be got. Yet, Badeh treated the matter lightly. His offhanded dismissal of the attack gave Boko Haram the fillip to overrun many places in the Northeast then and hoist its flag in these ‘conquered’ territories.

    If that is not an offence, I wonder what is. Shouldn’t Badeh be court martialled for this and related issues?

  • That sermon by ex-CDS Badeh

    SIR:  Thursday July 30, Alex Sobundu Badeh, retired Air Chief Marshal and former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was pulled out of the military in furtherance of a well know military tradition. He had put in 38 years in the service of the father land and it was now time to go. Everything went very well, until time came for the Air Chief Marshal to make a valedictory speech. That speech, in my opinion was the low point in an otherwise glorious parade.

    In that sermon, which many newspapers published and which is now available on the internet, Air Chief Marshal Badeh, severely indicted himself and by extension, the President under whose watch he served as CDS. Amongst other things, he stated that there were fifth columnists in the military in his time as CDS! Furthermore, he claimed that he was “head a military that lacked relevant equipment and motivation”.  Recalling one of the challenges of combating Boko Haram elements, he said “the enemy was invisible and embedded with the local populace”. He also claimed that the strength of the military was inadequate.

    If we accept that the claims made by the former CDS in his valedictory speech are true, he must be asked a few questions. If the military under his watch was ill-equipped, ill motivated and lacking in adequate numbers of personnel for the job, what did he do about that? How come he was roaming around and boasting on occasion that Boko Haram would be routed, knowing all the challenges the military had at the time? What action did he take about the “fifth columnists” that he claimed are in the military?  Why did he not ensure that the troops he sent to combat had adequate equipment? What did he do about the motivation of the troops who he now claims lacked motivation? Was it fair to the nation and the troops in combat to  commit them to battle, knowing all that he is now belatedly telling nation? It is very difficult to fathom the purpose of the complaints by the former CDS. If the points he made are true, the audience is certainly wrong. Those who need the kind of information he made available are in the Presidency and not on that parade ground.

    In the light of this outburst of the former CDS, certain events which befuddled the nation in the recent past have become understandable. The widespread belief amongst Nigerians was that Boko Haram elements were better armed and better motivated. Some highly placed government officials made such statements openly and without any inhibitions whatsoever. The rash of desertions and acts cowardice in battle that led to several trials can now be understood. Going by what the former CDS now claims to be the situation, the troops fled probably because they were outgunned and outnumbered. It would be recalled that when former President Goodluck Jonathan, desperate to win the elections provided adequate arms, ammunition and other equipment, the gallant troops, within a period of six weeks rolled back all the gains of Boko Haram in terms of territories lost to them.

    The President has embarked on some whirlwind diplomatic shuttles aimed at shoring up support for Nigerian troops by troops belonging to our neighbouring countries. He has been very successful in this endeavour. However for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to be successful in the task assigned to it, very drastic steps must be taken to correct the anomalies to which the former CDS has drawn global attention. Thankfully, so much money has already been provided or pledged in support of the MNJTF. Never again should ill-equipped, unmotivated and outnumbered Nigerian troops be committed to battle.

    Finally, those in charge of the humongous sums provided for the purchase of arms, ammunitions and equipment for the military, must be called to account. The President may wish to ask how so much money can be provided and the troops made to go to battle poorly armed.

     

    • Col Ola Majoyeogbe (retired)

     Lagos.

     

  • Badeh: I’m an IDP too

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh, said yesterday that he is also a victim of the insurgency and an Internally-Displaced Person (IDP), following attacks by the Boko Haram.

    Speaking in Kaduna at a church service and inauguration of the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church, Kaduna, the defence chief said he was not spared in the attacks by the sect, as his house was torched in Adamawa.

    He said enough was enough for the group and that the Boko Haram insurgency must end.

    Badeh urged Nigerians to pray for their success in the fight against the militia.

    The Chaplain, Rev. (Wing Commander) Yunana G. Gada, assured that the church would support the military in prayers.

  • Military‘ll deploy gunboats for elections, says Defence chief Badeh

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall (ACM)Alex Badeh, yesterday said the military will deploy gunboats to provide security for the general elections.

    ACM Badeh spoke at the Government Jetty, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while inaugurating 30 gunboats acquired by the Federal Government to enhance the operation of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield.

    He said apart from the primary reason of prosecuting the war against oil theft, the gunboats would also be deployed to secure the elections in the coastal communities.

    “Aside from curtailing oil theft, these boats will come in very handy during the forthcoming general elections.

    “Troops of the Operation Pulo Shield would use these boats to dominate the creeks as a warning to would-be troublemakers. We all want peace to prevail. So, troublemakers should be warned”, he said.

    In attendance at the inauguration were the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jubril; Governor Seriake Dickson; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

    ACM Badeh said the acquisition of the boats underlined the determination of the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria.

    He said one of the steps taken to eradicate oil theft in the country was the establishment of a Technical Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control (TCCOTPC) by the National Economic Council (NEC).

    He said through the activities of the committee, the NEC approved some funds for the Defence Headquarters to procure gunboats for the operations of the JTF, which is saddled with the responsibility of fighting crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

    He said: “These boats and indeed other resources allocated by the Federal Government of Nigeria would be judiciously deployed for the overall economic benefits of the country.”

    Uduaghan, who was a special guest of honour  at the occasion said: We are proud of Mr. President, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who is on the driving seat, who is the commander-in-chief in dealing with all these issues, the issues of crude oil theft and the issues of Boko Haram.

    “On Saturday March 28 is the election and we all must put our hands and everything together to ensure that Mr. President Jonathan wins that election.

    In actual fact he has already won by the grace of God.”

    Dickson said apart from maritime military assets, the state was in need of equipment on land to effectively fight crimes.

     

     

  • Belarus to supply 12 helicopters to Nigerian Air Force

    Belarus to supply 12 helicopters to Nigerian Air Force

    Nigeria will soon take delivery of 12 helicopters to aid the war on terror from Belarus. This fact emerged yesterday at a rowdy session in the Senate.

      Lawmakers were divided over President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for approval to borrow $1billion.

    Jonathan, in a request presented to the Senate on  July 15, said the $billion loan was required to enable his government tackle security challenges.

     The Senate Joint Committee on Finance and Local and Foreign Debt which scrutinised the request and urged the upper chamber to approve the amount.

     During the consideration of the report, some Senators asked for more explanations on the sweeping endorsement the Joint Committee accorded the loan request.

     Others insisted that the provisions of the Constitution and the Public Procurement Act should be sufficiently adhered to in considering the presidential request.

    The Joint Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi , in its report, said: “The Joint Committee observes that this “loan” facility request is not a cash loan but supply of military hardware to be paid over seven years.

    “Accordingly, terms such as interest rate cannot be indicated. However,  it is not every country or supplier that can agree to such terms. It is, therefore, in our interest to take up the opportunity and not allow it slip away.

    “Also the request is for a ceiling of $1billion  and not that at the moment the whole amount will be utilised. Government will procure on the terms stated based on needs assessment of our security agencies.

     “Helicopters are crucial for decisive victory over the war against terror. Quick victory cannot be accomplished without helicopters because of the terrain and the nature of the operations to be undertaken.”

    He added that no new hell opted had been added to the Air Force’s fleet since 1998.

     “The 12 nos. M135 helicopters being requested for now are appropriate for the nature of the operation and the terrain.

     “Belarus has accepted to give helicopters on the condition of installmental payment over a-seven year period; and other hardwares, armaments and equipment will be bought on same terms from other European countries.”

      Senator James Manager (Delta Central)  urged the Senate to approve the loan without debate because, according to him, the issues involved revolve around security matters and insurgency.

    Senate President David Mark quickly supported Manager’s position.

     Mark said: “Honestly, I will suggest that we go ahead and approve this without raising issues that will have any security implication.

     “Makarfi has put it rightly. I am surprised because he has even given more details here than we would like on paper on security issues.”

     The consideration of the request divided the Senators along party lines as most Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators attempted wholesale adoption and approval of the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the request, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers insisted on the rule of law in the consideration of the request.

    Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) demanded total adherence to the relevant sections of the Constitution and the other laws guiding loan procurement.

     Adetunmbi who quoted relevant sections of the Constitution, insisted that it would be in the interest of the Senate to be guided by the extant laws in its consideration of the loan request.

     He said: “Mr. President, permit me to refer us to Section 81 (a) and (b) of the constitution. Section 81, sub-section 4 reads: ‘If in respect of any financial year, it is found that the amount appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient, or a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated in the act, a supplementary estimate showing the sum required shall be laid before each House of the National Assembly and the head of any such expenditure shall be included in a supplementary appropriation bill.

      “Mr. President, Section 83 of the constitution says the National Assembly may by law, make provision for the establishment of a contingency funds of the federation and for authorizing the president if satisfied that an unforeseen and urgent need  has arisen requiring expenditure for with no other expenditure exist to make advances from the fund to meet this need.

     “Where any advances made in accordance with this provision of this section in supplementary estimate shall be presented and a supplementary appropriation bill shall be introduced as soon as possible for purposes of replacing the amount so advanced.

     “Mr President, this request to the best of my knowledge, and with the assistance of this constitution, has consequences for the existing Appropriation Act.

     “We do not question the right of Mr President to ask for money or ask to borrow money but there is a process that needs to be followed and the provision of the constitution for this process is what I just read.

    “Mr President, also, section 41 (a) and (b), 42 (1) and (8), section 44 (1), (2) and (3) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act give us clear guidelines of the procedures for borrowing and the management of such borrowing under this kind of circumstances.

     “If you permit me, I will read section 41,(a) and (b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, says: Section 9 under debt and indebtedness says the framework for debt management borrowing in financial year shall be based on the following rules: (1), that government at all tiers shall only borrow for capital expenditure and human development provided that such borrowing shall be on concessional terms with low interest rate and with a reasonable long period subject to the approval and the appropriate legislative body where necessary.

    “This, government shall ensure that the level of public debt, the proportion of national income is held at a sustainable level and as prescribed by the National Assembly from time to time.

     “Section 42, Mr President, reads: ‘The president shall within 90 days from commencement of this act and with advice from the minister of finance subject to the approval of the National Assembly set the borrowing limit to the amount of consolidated debt of the federal and state government pursuant to the provisions of items 7th and 5th of the part 1 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution. The details are there.

    “Mr President, Section 8 of that section clearly says: ‘Wherever the fundamentals of the proposals cited in these provisions are changed due to economic stability, the president shall submit to the National Assembly a request to review this current borrowing.

    “Finally, Section 44, (1),(2) and (3) of that same act says: ‘Any government of the federation or its agencies or corporation desirous of borrowing  shall specify the purpose for which the borrowing is intended present a cost analysis detailing  the economic and social benefit for the purpose for which the intended borrowing is to be applied.

     “Without prejudice to sub-section 1 of this section, each borrowing shall comply with the following conditions: (1), exercise of prior authorization in the appropriation or other acts or law for the purpose for which the borrowing is to be utilised. (b), Such borrowing shall solely be applied towards long-term capital expenditure.

    “The borrowing plan of this country is contained in our Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF. We want to know whether this borrowing is within this MTEF framework that we have or whether the MTEF needed to have been amended and a supplementary appropriation for purposes of security be brought to this parliament so that a supplementary appropriation can be so approved for Mr President to undertake his constitutional responsibility as a chief security officer of this country. Mr President, I rest my case.”

    Apparently rattled by Adetunmbi’s elaborate submission, the Senate President gave the floor to Makarfi to respond.

    Makarfi said: “With due respect, all the issues raised are not relevant to the issue we are considering now. The simple reason is that you asked a question that what is the definition of ‘in kind’ and I said it is not cash inflow or outflow.

    “The executive cannot just go outrightly and pay and what is required is compliance with Public Procurement Act in which we are not required to see compliance without Public Procurement Act.

    “The loan is in kind, there is no cash outflow and repayment will be so appropriated and would be only made subject to the approval of the National Assembly.”

    But, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, said violating the constitution would not only be injurious to the health of the Senate but demean the estimation of the Senate in the eyes of Nigerians.

    Akume said: “Senator Adetunmbi raised fundamental issues touching on the Constitution. He also read the relevant sections of our Standing Orders. Mr. President, our constitution supercedes whatever Senator Makarfi is talking about the Procurement Act. However, it is a huge document and Makarfi has not quoted the relevant sections to support what he is saying.”

    Mark said mere quoting of sections of the constitution does not make the position being canvassed to be correct.

    He said: “The question you asked is whether Adetunmbi is right in what he said or not and the simple answer is no, he is not right. So please, merely quoting the constitution does not make him to be right. Because he is quoting the constitution doesn’t mean he is right.”

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said the trend of consideration of the loan request could give erroneous impression that a particular political party is supporting the fight against insurgency while another is not.

    But, Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central) said Ekweremadu’s contribution was a subtle blackmail of those insisting that the constitution should guide the Senate in its consideration of the loan request.

    Mark intervened and asked Ojudu, “who has input improper motive?”

    At this point, the chamber erupted in disorder as Mark laboured for several minutes to calm frayed nerves and restore order.

    When normalcy was restored, Mark put the question and through a voice vote, he ruled that those in support of the approval of the loan request carried the day.

  • Insurgency: Agbakoba demands Badeh’s removal

    Insurgency: Agbakoba demands Badeh’s removal

    A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), yesterday called for the removal of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, for failing to contain the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “If I was the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of Defence Staff should be dismissed,” he said.

    Speaking at a news conference in his Lagos office, Agbakoba said insurgency would not end until Boko Haram’s leadership was neutralised.

    “The only way to solve the Boko Haram insurgency is by a resolute decapitation of the leadership. The new tactic is to completely degrade them.

    “When they (Boko Haram) leadership is degraded, you will see that the whole thing will be over, otherwise the infestation will grow.

    “But with the insurgents seizing more territories in the Northeast, the army chiefs have to go.

    “The military high command should be removed immediately. Alex Badeh has failed in his commission and should be removed. The military has not done enough,” he said.

    Agbakoba said it was wrong to hold the view that Nigeria’s unity was sacrosanct.

    According to him, any region that wished to be independent should be allowed to go.

    “There is nothing sacrosanct about the existence of Nigeria,” he said, adding that it was time to agree on a peaceful separation, rather than forcing unity down everyone’s throat.

    “Nobody is saying Nigeria must continue as one, but here its all about force,” Agbakoba said.

    He recommended autonomous regions with presidents, as done in places like Catalonia.

    “There is no big reason why we must be together. And if we can’t be together, let’s part in peace,” he said.

    Agbakoba said, however, that Nigeria had the potential to be Africa’s true giant if it remained united.

    “Nigeria is seriously ill. It’s a fragmented country. Everyone speaks according to his own bible. ‘Is my brother there?’

  • Badeh’s war cry

    Badeh’s war cry

    New Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alexander Badeh, must be a man with a magic wand. Bursting with excitement last week, he served notice to the Islamist Boko Haram sect that their days were numbered. He specifically pronounced April the month when the curtains would be drawn on the insurgent saga in the North East.

    Ordinarily, such a positive declaration should elicit three hearty cheers. At the same time I am discomfited by this business of deadlines – especially when it has to do with a group that has defied all obituary notices over the years.

    When the air campaign at the start of the current emergency was launched we were assured it was only a matter of time. But like an irritant cockroach the sect just refuses to go away.

    In fact, the last time President Jonathan suggested whilst on an overseas trip that the group would be crushed within three months, its leader Abubakar Shekau replied with counter threats that were soon followed by a period of unprecedented bloodletting.

    Rather than setting unrealistic deadlines and targets against a foe we are yet to fully understand, it would pay the new security leadership better investigate why the might of the Nigerian armed forces has not been able to quell the insurgency. When we have the right answers, peace will descend on region – and Badeh would not need a press conference to announce it.