By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The All Middle Belt Youth Forum (AMBYF) has rejected calls for the removal of the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), describing the demand as hasty, misguided and capable of deepening regional divisions at a time Nigeria faces complex security challenges.

The group was reacting to recent agitations by the President of an Arewa Youth group, Abdul Dan Bature, who allegedly called for the minister’s removal.

In a statement by its National Leader, Comrade Moses Odeh, and National Secretary, Comrade Aliyu Wamba,  AMBYF said the call was ill-timed and could distract the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.

According to the forum, Nigeria remains a secular and pluralistic state where appointments into public offices should be based on competence and national interest rather than religious or regional sentiments.

“The demand for the removal of the Honourable Minister of Defence is hasty, misguided, and potentially divisive, particularly at a time when Nigeria is confronting complex security challenges that require unity of purpose rather than sectional rhetoric,” the statement read.

AMBYF noted that there were no similar agitations when the office of the Defence Minister was previously occupied by individuals of the same religious background as those currently criticizing the appointment.

“This selective outrage raises questions about the motives behind the present campaign and risks injecting religious intolerance into matters of national security, which must remain professional and non-partisan,” the group said.

The forum stressed that General Musa, who previously served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, possesses extensive operational experience and strategic understanding of the country’s security landscape.

It added that the security challenges confronting Nigeria evolved over many years and cannot be resolved instantly by any single official. “Expecting instant solutions from any single official is neither realistic nor responsible. What is required at this moment is institutional support, operational continuity, and strategic patience,” the statement added.

The group also noted that the Middle Belt region has borne a significant burden of insecurity over the years, stressing that the region’s priority remains achieving effective security outcomes rather than engaging in political distractions.

AMBYF urged the Federal Government to focus on strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities through the rapid modernization of the Armed Forces, deployment of advanced intelligence and surveillance technologies, strengthening of air power and integration of real-time intelligence networks.

“These measures will ensure that the Armed Forces possess the speed, reach and precision necessary to neutralize non-state actors operating in remote and ungoverned spaces,” the forum said.

The group further cautioned against attempts to distract President Bola Tinubu with calls for the sudden removal of key security officials.

The forum urged Abdul Dan Bature and others promoting the campaign to exercise restraint in the interest of national unity and stability. “Public discourse around national security must be guided by responsibility, patriotism and respect for constitutional authority, not inflammatory rhetoric capable of deepening regional divisions,” the statement said.

AMBYF reaffirmed its support for ongoing efforts to restore security in the country, urging Nigerians to unite behind measures aimed at protecting lives and preserving national unity.