Ahmed Yahaya -Joe
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) started in Nigeria as a glorified dumping ground. The first person to occupy that office was Alhaji Gambo Jimeta (1937-2021), Nigeria’s seventh Inspector General of Police from 1986 to 1990, who in his own words put it;
“When Babangida removed me as the IG, he still needed my services as a friend. So, he made me NSA with no schedule and no office. So as NSA, I was operating from my Victoria Island home with no staff. I then contacted foreign embassies (of countries) who have National Security Advisers to explain to me the schedule of (a) National Security Adviser.”
Since then, National Security Advisers have served at the pleasure of any President. It is an office that does not have constitutional backing neither requiring Senate confirmation nor having any particular schedule nor even specific portfolio assigned beyond the description that the holder is a; “senior official in the cabinet of the President of Nigeria who serves as the chief adviser to the President on national security issues.”
I was therefore taken aback when in 2015 such an esteemed and far my senior at Kings College, Lagos and NDA Course 21 shinning star, Babagana Monguno decided to commit involuntary suicide by jumping into political murky waters. Nicknamed “Monty” by his peers – an epithet for any outstanding soldier in Commonwealth countries bestowed in memory of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery (1887-1976).
I have always known him as being straight as an arrow with a characteristic springily walk that oscillates between arrogated self confidence and earned laurels. Over the decades not much has changed in him beyond trading his then Afro and growing a moustache. Remarkably, he is still not grey but that trademark smirk on his face still remains.
As an amateur cartoonist and designer of the King’s College seasons greetings card, I was not surprised he elevated his graphical prowess into being an accomplished architect earning a doctorate in the process. Even his military career in the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps was a natural progression from the Cadet corps in secondary school. Man is inherently a political animal.
Senior Monguno is however an exception. A professional soldier to the core with absolutely no pretensions who regals in specificity. Stern, taciturn and a stickler disciple and order. A soldier’s soldier albeit a misfit in the cut-throat terrain of Nigerian politics.
Retired Major-General Monguno was by his appointment as NSA expected to be the main clearing house on security matters which was one on the main planks President Buhari stood upon to be voted into office in 2015. The choice of an apolitical person signalled matters were to be treated as either black or white. Never grey. Unfortunately, things at the Villa are always as multi-coloured as a rainbow. Monguno’s official clash with the late Malam Abba Kyari was therefore inevitable – but avoidable.
The general having just retired in 2013 was perhaps still suffering from a command hangover. A mere advisory position proved to be an excruciatingly hard adjustment for a maverick that has for more than three decades been barking orders. Indeed; “The functions of the National Security Adviser varies from administration to administration; and depends on the style and management philosophy of the incumbent President.” However, it is only when there is loss of leadership focus that rifts among aides exacerbates.
Simply put Malam Abba Kyari would not have acted without the knowledge and permission of Mr. President. Or had taken undue advantage of the President’s incapacity or indisposition. It has to be one or the other. What are actually the terms and conditions of General Monguno’s engagement? When Abraham Lincoln engaged General Ulysses S Grant in 1864 the US president wrote; “I neither ask nor desire to know of your plans. Take responsibility and act, and call on me for assistance”
Like many Nigerians I have carefully read the transcript of Monty’s recent interview with BBC Hausa service. It was a well aimed swipe at a quartet that had been most recently “rewarded” as ambassador’s plenipotentiary. There is no need repeating the embarrassing details here. As Mark Twain would say; “Never belief anything until it is officially denied”
However, in overall context between his explosive memo dated December 9, 2019 and his latest public relations fiasco, Monty is reminiscent of the protagonist in “The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner” written by by Alan Sillitoe in 1959. In his leaked missive against President Buhari’s erstwhile Chief of Staff, Monty had fired from all cylinders with blazing guns. Wafting through gunsmoke the NSA concluded it ominously leaving no one in doubt whom his target was. The same modus operandi is applicable in his BBC outing.
According to 4-star General Fred Franks Jr. in his memoirs; “Most commanders are intelligent people. Not all these intelligent people are smart. That is to say, not all of these people make the best decisions.” Interestingly, Franks like Monguno have variously headed Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) of the US Army and Nigerian Army respectively. See details in page 48 of Into the Storm: A Study in Command (1997)
Monguno was an NDA course mate with the late Air Chief Alex Sabundu Badeh (1957-2018) The NSA undoubtably had no regrets coming down so hard a top ruling party apparatchik in such a close working relationship with Mr. President. Both lucky course mates would lose a generality of their other mates in the ill-fated C-130 mishap involving NAF 911 on September 26, 1992. The NSA’s memo was neither equivocal nor grandstanding.
The maverick general was obviously willing to trade his political appointment with the drudgery of retired life. Such a defiant gesture is a rarity. If so why did the NSA disown his BBC Hausa comments claiming he was quoted out of context? The answer is very simple and straightforward – the vice like grip of espirit d’corps.
This Mafia-like code of silence characterizes Nigeria’s retired millionaire generals club. The military in or out uniform is highly egoistic and notoriously elitist with life long fraternal networks of loyalty. The long existing protocol of military lions at the civilian gate will therefore not allow Monguno commit class suicide by openly castigating the recently retired service chiefs.
While in office he is required to hold fire. He is however free to open fire in his memoirs.
