The State Security Service (SSS) has screened retired Brigadier
General Bitrus Boka Ushe, who is being proposed as the new
Minister of Defence. The proposed nomination of Ushe - who, unlike many
former military officers, has not entered politics since he retired
seven years ago – is, however, being opposed by the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) in his own Kebbi State where he is viewed as not a “party
man”.
Some who oppose Ushe's nomination are doing so on the basis of
religion because his nomination and subsequent appointment as Defence
Minister would result in the Defence Ministry being headed by two
Christians. The Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola
Obada, is also a Christian.
The appointment of a Defence Minister is quite political and it
is reported that the presidency is shopping around for an ideal
candidate who is not merely suitably qualified to head the ministry but
is also an indigene of Kebbi State. This is because the
presidency has to fill the ministerial slot reserved for Kebbi State
which has become vacant following the removal of the former defence
minister Haliru Bello Mohammed.
Kebbi State's Governor Saidu Dakingari had
reportedly forwarded three names to the president as ministerial nominees. They were: Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a former
gubernatorial candidate of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria
(ACN) who has since defected
to the PDP; Isa Mohammed a former water
resources minister and national chairman of the now defunct United
Nigeria Congress Party; and Bello Usman Maitambari, a retired
permanent secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
All three were rejected by President Goodluck Jonathan
who stated that he wanted a suitable candidate who was not just from
Kebbi State but who also had a relevant military background. Others
being speculated as possible appointees - such as former
National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Gen Aliyu
Gusau and retired Colonel Dangiwar Umar - have not yet
been screened. It is, therefore, very likely that barring any last
minute unforeseen circumstances, the president will now forward Ushe's
name as his nominee for Defence Minister.
For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria
Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates 
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