Dr. Josef Onoh, former spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu's campaign in the southeast, recently praised Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, for significantly improving the country’s security within just 18 months. This recognition came after former President Muhammadu Buhari highlighted improvements in the security and economy during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
According to Vanguard, Onoh pointed out that Ribadu’s achievements in securing the country outpaced the results seen during Buhari’s eight-year term. This was a notable assertion, as Ribadu's rapid success seemed to surpass the efforts of his predecessor, despite the latter's extended time in office. Onoh acknowledged Ribadu’s effectiveness in managing national security issues, particularly those that had been persistent challenges for years.
While expressing appreciation for Ribadu's achievements, Onoh also shared mixed feelings about politics. He reflected on his own political ambitions, revealing that he had run for the same office as Ribadu in 2022. Despite acknowledging his rival’s accomplishments, Onoh believed that, had it not been for political selfishness among local stakeholders, he would have been a better governor than Ribadu. This comment highlighted Onoh’s frustration with the political system, which he felt hindered his potential.
In addition to his praise for Ribadu, Onoh commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his handling of the IPOB sit-at-home orders, which had disrupted the southeast for a long time. Mbah, according to Onoh, was the only governor in the region to successfully confront the menace, with support from the Tinubu-led government. This collaboration led to significant strides in tackling security challenges that had previously plagued the region.
Onoh credited Mbah for taking decisive action against the IPOB and Simon Ekpa’s terror activities, areas where other southeastern governors had failed. He emphasized that Mbah’s leadership in this regard marked a shift in the way the region approached security, with much-needed cooperation from the federal government. Onoh noted that previous administrations in the southeast had struggled to deal with these issues, leading to instability and loss of life.
According to him, "In the southeast, although I don’t like his approach to politics and having run for the same office with him in 2022 and I know I would have made a better Governor than him if not for political selfishness of our stakeholders, yet credit must be given to Governor Peter Mbah being the only governor in the southeast that genuinely fought against the ipob sit at home menace".
