The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the appointment of Major General Adeyinka Fadewa (Rtd.) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, saying the move raises questions about the confidence of the President in the current National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this while reacting to the new appointment announced by the Presidency.
President Tinubu had appointed Fadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security in what the Presidency described as recognition of his exceptional military service, strategic experience, and contributions to Nigeria’s security structure.
However, Abdullahi questioned the relevance of the new office, arguing that the title and responsibility appeared to overlap with the duties already handled by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to him, if the President no longer has confidence in Ribadu’s ability to manage the country’s security challenges, he should openly replace him instead of creating another security office.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Abdullahi wrote: “President Tinubu has just appointed a Major General as ‘Special Adviser on Homeland Security.’
“The term ‘homeland’ is ideological and historically rooted. It makes sense in contexts like the United States, Germany, Israel or Palestine. In Nigeria, it is largely meaningless.
“If the President no longer has confidence in his National Security Adviser, he should simply replace him, not create a new office with a copycat title.”
The comments have added to ongoing public discussions about the structure of Nigeria’s security management and the growing number of aides and advisers appointed by the current administration.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has made several appointments into different security and intelligence positions as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity across the country.
Nigeria has continued to face serious security challenges, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central, oil theft in the Niger Delta, and separatist tensions in parts of the South-East.
Many Nigerians have repeatedly called on the Federal Government to strengthen coordination among security agencies and improve intelligence gathering to address the worsening security situation.
The appointment of Fadewa has therefore drawn attention because of concerns over possible duplication of responsibilities within the Presidency’s security structure.
Although details of the new office have not been fully explained, the Presidency said the retired general would help strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture and support efforts aimed at protecting lives and property.
Major General Fadewa is a retired senior military officer with years of experience in defence and strategic operations. Supporters of the appointment believe his military background could help improve internal security coordination.
However, critics argue that Nigeria already has established security institutions and offices responsible for handling similar responsibilities.
The Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Ribadu, is one of the most powerful security offices in the country. The NSA is responsible for coordinating intelligence and advising the President on matters relating to national security.
Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was appointed NSA by Tinubu shortly after assuming office. Since then, he has led several security meetings and coordinated operations involving the military, police, and intelligence agencies.
Under Ribadu’s leadership, the Federal Government has repeatedly claimed progress in the fight against insecurity, especially against banditry and kidnapping. Security agencies have also announced the arrest and elimination of several criminal leaders in different parts of the country.
Despite these claims, many communities across Nigeria still experience frequent attacks, abductions, and killings.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained one of the major security concerns in recent years, with criminal gangs targeting schools, highways, and rural communities. The situation has forced many Nigerians to question the effectiveness of the country’s security strategy.
The use of the term “Homeland Security” has also sparked debate among Nigerians on social media.
In countries like the United States, the Department of Homeland Security was created after the September 11 terrorist attacks to coordinate efforts against terrorism and strengthen border and internal security.
The phrase has since become strongly associated with national protection against internal threats.
Abdullahi argued that Nigeria’s political and historical structure is different and that the term may not fit the country’s security framework.
However, supporters of the appointment insist that the title itself is less important than the goal of improving national security.
So far, the Presidency has not officially responded to the ADC spokesman’s criticism.
The development comes at a time when Nigerians continue to demand stronger action from the government to address insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship.
Security remains one of the biggest issues facing the Tinubu administration, with citizens expecting quicker results in the fight against violent crimes and terrorism.
For many Nigerians, the main concern is not the title of the office but whether the government’s security policies will bring lasting peace and safety across the country.