The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has expressed concern over allegations of misconduct against the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Abubakar Badaru, involving abuse of office, conflict of interest, and engagement in private business activities while serving as a minister.
The NDYC believes that these allegations pose a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign and the integrity of its national security institutions.
In a statement signed by NDYC National Coordinator, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, the organisation emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in public service, particularly in high-security offices.
The NDYC stated: “In a time when Nigeria is faced with rising insecurity, terrorism, and the need for stable defence leadership, it is imperative that those at the helm of our security architecture are not only competent but also above reproach in character and conduct.”
The NDYC noted: “Public trust in government institutions is already fragile, and any perception of double standards or selective accountability only worsens that trust deficit.”
The organisation believes that transparency is not a privilege reserved for a few offices but an obligation that comes with public service, especially when that service involves safeguarding the lives and sovereignty of a nation.
The NDYC stated: “It is therefore incumbent upon the government to demonstrate consistency in how it addresses allegations of misconduct against public officials, regardless of their portfolio or political weight.”
The group recalled how the government acted swiftly in the past by setting up a committee to investigate allegations against former minister Beta Edun over financial impropriety.
The NDYC believes that “that step, though difficult, helped reassure Nigerians that the administration was committed to transparency and justice. We believe a similar approach should be adopted in the case of Minister Badaru.”
The organisation called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate and decisive steps to initiate a full, independent investigation into the activities of the Minister of Defence.
The NDYC stated that the nation cannot afford to have individuals holding high-security offices whose conduct raises questions of divided loyalty, ethical compromise, or financial impropriety. It argued that any unresolved issue at that level not only casts a shadow on the administration but also poses a real risk to national security.
The NDYC urged the government to act now, not just for the sake of political optics, but for the future of the country.
“The world is watching. Nigerians are watching. And history will remember whether this administration upheld the principles of justice and accountability or caved into silence and complicity.”
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