Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has taken a critical stance against former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing him of causing a significant deterioration in Nigeria’s security architecture through nepotistic service chief appointments.
In a televised interview, Chidoka emphasized the gravity of the situation, suggesting that it may take the nation many years to recover from the security challenges faced during Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
Chidoka, a former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, highlighted his concerns regarding the dire state of security in the country, placing blame on the lopsided and nepotistic service chief selections made during Buhari’s leadership.
He asserted, “He destroyed the security agencies, and I think it will take us many years to recover from the destruction.”
Chidoka’s criticism extended beyond the Buhari era, as he noted that the fundamental issue lay in transforming security agencies into avenues for providing employment to individuals with political connections.
Chidoka further revealed, “The top hierarchies in the police, army, and the Department of State Services are populated by unintelligent people managing our security agencies.”
He also shed light on the financial constraints faced by security agencies, stating, “A look into the police budget will reveal that 90 percent is used for salary payments, while only about four or five percent is left for recruitment expenditure.”
This financial constraint, Chidoka argued, forces security agencies to seek alternative means to meet their operational needs, ultimately contributing to the breakdown of security nationwide.
As of press time, efforts to reach Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, for a response remained unsuccessful.
