Abdulrahman Dambazau, former chief of army staff, who lost out in the race to be the national security adviser (NSA), has pledged unalloyed support for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The man who was tipped to be appointed NSA until two weeks ago, said his resolve to ensure that Buhari succeeds remains ‘unshakable’.
Denying ever eyeing the plum job, he said he would gladly accept any role that the president assigns to him, if such ever happens.
“What race? There was no race for the office of national security adviser,” he said in a statement.
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“And if there was one, I was not a contestant. For very good reasons people may have their expectations, but that should not be translated as mine. Of course, I will be glad to work for the president if he assigned me any task or appoints me in any capacity he feels I can contribute towards the success of the government.
“This is especially because I was the CPC chairman of the security committee in 2011 and he personally appointed me. And I was also in 2015 director, intelligence and security of the APC presidential campaign council.
“At any rate the president has the prerogative to appoint any person of his choice to any of the available positions. But in the final analysis it is God that determines who becomes what. My prayer therefore is for the almighty God to guide President Muhammadu Buhari in this very important task of nation-building He has given him.
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“My relationship with Mr. President does not hinge on political appointment. Whether or not he assigns me to a particular office, my resolve to ensure that he succeeds remains unshakable. He is a person I highly respect and I am ready to support him throughout his tenure. I am not doing him a personal favour, but I consider it a duty to contribute in fixing Nigeria. I have immensely benefitted from Nigeria after reaching the peak of my career as a General and commanded the army, and acquired the highest educational qualification (PhD). It is only reasonable to consider this opportunity as payback time.”
Buhari named Babagana Monguno as the NSA on Monday.
1 comments
Danbazau is an officer and gentleman and has made good remarks in the face of speculations on the appointments of NSAEAR.Mr President has the prerogative on these appointments. Care must be taken to avoid confusion and misleading the general public.