Just Back From Brazil, Jonathan Sacks Security Adviser, Azazi, Defence Minister, Haliru Bello

Few hours after President Goodluck Jonathan arrived from his highly criticised trip to Brazil and had an emergency meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo, Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello and security chiefs, he has announced the sack of his National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Owoeye Azazi and Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello.

To replace Azazi with immediate effect is a retired Nigerian Army Colonel, Sambo Dasuki.

Before his sudden sack, Azazi was present in the emergency security meeting along with Police Affairs minister, Caled Olubolade. Security chiefs present at the meeting include Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff, General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar and Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar.

The NSA who has of late become controversial due to political statements coming from him may have gotten wind of the move to sack him after the recent meeting of some Northern elders led by Maitama Sule with President Jonathan where the Northern leaders complained that some forces in government are sponsoring terrorist activities and labelling same as Boko Haram attacks. He had soon after the visit commissioned media reports to blackmail the North as being desperate to remove him in order to expose Jonathan to danger.

Besides, under Azazi’s tenure, the Boko Haram attacks have escalated while security funding has multiplied in hundred folds, suggesting that he may just be incompetent.