The Arewa Development and Advocacy Network (ADAN), a civil society organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development, justice, empowerment, and good governance across Northern Nigeria, strongly condemns the recent unprovoked and baseless attacks on the person and office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
It has become increasingly evident that Mallam Ribadu has emerged as a target for some Northern politicians desperate to remain relevant in the political space. These individuals appear to be orchestrating campaigns of calumny and distraction against him, falsely attributing personal and political motives to his commitment to national security.
In a country grappling with one of its most severe security crises, including rampant banditry, kidnapping, and senseless killings, such distractions are not only unwarranted but dangerous. Nigeria cannot afford any diversion from the critical task of safeguarding lives and property, particularly in the North, where our people bear the heaviest burden of insecurity.
We categorically reject and condemn the mischievous attempts by some to link Mallam Ribadu to the inclusion of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s name in the proposed U.S. Congress bill (the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026), which recommends targeted sanctions including visa bans.
These claims are nothing but a figment of the imagination of those seeking to sow division. The appearance of Senator Kwankwaso’s name in that legislative proposal has absolutely no connection to Mallam Ribadu or his duties as NSA.
Similarly, the ongoing political travails between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his successor, Governor Uba Sani, are entirely personal and stem from their own internal dynamics and fallout. These matters have no bearing on Mallam Ribadu’s role or actions, and any attempt to drag the NSA into them is disingenuous and self-serving.
ADAN emphatically frowns upon the pervasive “pull him down” syndrome that has unfortunately come to characterize much of contemporary Northern politicking. This destructive culture of envy, unfounded accusations, and character assassination undermines collective progress and diverts energy from the real priorities facing our region and nation.
We call for restraint from all political actors. Northern leaders and stakeholders must refocus their efforts on what truly matters: ending the scourge of banditry, kidnapping, and senseless killings that continue to ravage Northern communities; addressing the endemic poverty resulting from decades of malgovernance; and supporting initiatives that uplift our people through education, economic empowerment, and inclusive development.
In conclusion, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly on course and very much alive. This administration is not only resolutely committed to securing every inch of Nigeria but is also working tirelessly to make the country work for all citizens, through economic reforms, infrastructure development, and strengthened institutions.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s focus is squarely on securing Nigeria, not on pursuing any political ambition or targeting fellow Northerners. We stand firmly with him and the administration in this noble pursuit.
ADAN urges all well-meaning Nigerians, especially in the North, to rally behind efforts to build a safer, more prosperous region and nation, free from needless distractions and petty rivalries.
Signed:
Dr. Ahmadu Mustapha, Convener
Arewa Development and Advocacy Network (ADAN)
