NSA Monguno Clashes With Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari Over National Security

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd) has reportedly clashed with the Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, over the coordination of Nigeria’s security.

The Office of the NSA in a circular accused Abba Kyari of hijacking a role legally assigned to Babagana Monguno, PRNigeria reports.

It was gathered that the Chief of Staff have completely sidelined Monguno in the scheme of things when it comes to the strategic decisions in national security operations.

Contrary to protocols, Abba Kyari reportedly convenes and chairs meetings with heads of defence, security and intelligence agencies with their supervising Ministers in attendance.

The office of the NSA also accused Kyari of usurping his powers and rejecting directives from President Muhammad Buhari.

Monguno accused Kyari of authoring two circulars on September 13 and November 26, 2019 respectively, with contents and directives which were at variance with Buhari’s orders.

Part of the letter read: “References A and B were sent in response to the request for Presidential intervention to sustain Internal Security operations of the police within the shortest possible time. However, the contents of the 2 references were in variance with Mr President’s verbal, directives. Consequently, ONSA scrutinized the documents further and sought clarification from Mr President who has directed that Reference B be disregarded by all parties as it was sent without his endorsement.

“While it is expected that all Heads of Security agencies, having spent many years in service would understand the means of passing directives from the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, it may be necessary to remind all, in the face of glaring breaches to that procedure. For clarification, other than direct verbal directives from the President, written directives ’emanating from Mr President would be conveyed with a copy of his manuscript directive or at minimum, bear his signature.

“Additionally, Mr President may convey directives to the Heads of defence and security apparatus through the NSA who Intelligence Community Committee, Joint Intelligence Board and General Security Appraisal Committee on behalf of the President and supervising Ministers of defence and security agencies. It should be noted that the Chief of Staff to the President does not direct the security apparatus of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his job as it relates to security stops at conveying Mr. President’s written directives.

“Similarly, you are reminded that the Chief of Staff to the President is not a presiding head of security, neither is he sworn in an oath of defending the country. As such, unprofessional practices such as presiding over meetings with Service Chiefs and Heads of security organisations as well as Ambassadors and High Commissioners to the exclusion of the NSA and/or supervising Ministers are a violation of the constitution and directly undermine the authority of Mr President. Such acts and continuous meddlesomeness by the Chief of Staff have not only ruptured our security and defence efforts, but have slowed down any meaningful gain that Mr President has sought to achieve.

“As professionals, you are aware that the security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires concerted and centralized effort taking into account internal, external and diplomatic factors. It is therefore detrimental to our collective security that the Chief of Staff who is a on-supervising minister holds meetings with diplomats, security Chiefs and heads of agencies.

“Pursuant to the foregoing, you are by this letter directed to desist from these illegal acts that serve nothing but the continuous undermining of our national security framework. Any breach-of this directive will attract the displeasure of Mr President.”