Ribadu, hounded by seamless nightmares

In his usual reckless element. He arrogantly flung open the floodgate. And there was resultant downpour accompanied with flooding. That has been our lot since then. He’s being hunted and hounded. At the same intensity and speed.

Pity! The flooding has increased in leaps and bounds. From friends and foes. Overwhelming him with total bewilderment. Breaking protocols and impeding barriers.

And guess what. It has no intention of ceasing. Not in the farthest future. The bashing must go on. We’re enjoying every bit of it. Every moment is a pleasure for us.

That’s the precarious situation Nuhu Ribadu sank himself. His is a perilous time. We’re excited. He has boxed himself to a tight corner. Exceedingly glad how ferociously the deluge is turning out for him.

He is a President Bola Tinubu major “pointsman.” He holds sway as his National Security Adviser (NSA). Our very own maximum Chief Security Officer. He doesn’t hesitate to act it. And to the maximum too!

Trust him. He wouldn’t miss a “golden” opportunity. Especially when such drops carelessly on his lap. He aptly demonstrated this much that Thursday. Exactly a week past now.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, had innocently expressed his frustration. It was at the maiden annual lecture, National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), Abuja:

“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday (Wednesday, February 13, 2025), I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those injured during battles. We were meant to be there.”

So, what happened? “We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing.”

There is a vacuum unattended to here. A massive gulf is created. The CDS must fill in the gab, if he cares to be believed and trusted. He ought to come out clean and clear. He needs to be unambiguous in his explanation. Why exactly did such a large military delegation want to go to Canada?

We are in great doubt of the expediency of the Canada failed trip. We have zero tolerance for half-truth. Where did a delegation of 70 officers for Invictus Winter Games come in? And at what stage?

It didn’t add up. We are far away from winter in Nigeria. We’re not near it, not even remotely. We are blessed with two distinct seasons: rainy and dry. For us winter is not it!  And Canada graciously saved us that embarrassment and huge losses.

However, just before going to press late yesterday. The CDS insisted:  “The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and everybody is aware of this journey and we followed due  process. Everybody knows members of the armed forces will never take shortcuts.”

While Musa took it in its stride, Ribadu would not. He was visibly furious. And he refused to hide it: “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas.” He changed tactic and became uncouth: “They can go to hell!”

He was internally grieved: “Even though it’s painful, it’s disrespectful. But we are peaceful and strong. I agree with you that it is time to fix our country.

“Yet, this is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work.” How? By bullying? We are lost in amazement and amusement.

He flaunted one more time. The hard stuff he thought he’s made of. What hallucination! What delusion! And like it happened in most of such cases. He goofed! It couldn’t have been anything better.

Nobody does it the dastardly manner he does it and escapes its dire consequences. His won’t be an exception. Never. It must go the way of its like.

Ribadu is driven by uncanny guts. In whatever he chooses to say. He wants to impress you. He has an appetite of being seen as assertive and firm.

Whether he’s right or wrong. Sensible or questionable. He feels he must be heard. Loud and clear. He painstakingly picks where, when to utter his utterances. And that gives him an edge. It’s paying handsomely for him.

The reason he grandstands at some critical times. Those are the seasons he’s overtaken by unmixed conceit. He has false impression about himself. Larger than life image!

His counterparts in saner climes are far less visible. They are rarely seen or heard. But their exploits, body language, actions and inactions are visible all over the space.

Their effects are effectively felt. You can’t deny them that. Ours is the exact opposite. They’re long on words. And acutely short in action.

Their presence. Not their actions pollute our sphere and disturb our peace. No breathing space for us. They either eulogise their principal, themselves, or both.

They feed us with their intentions. Not the results of their actions. So, most of the times. They still feel they are on the campaign trail. Churning out blatant lies in their legions.

Always on the soapbox and newsstand. They cherish being heard all the time. They act wrongly as ADC to their principal. They follow him everywhere, anywhere he opts to set his feet.

Security is all about strategy and tact. It’s not a showcase. Neither is it a pleasurable road walk. It’s not about accompanying your principal to every single event. There are operatives you assign that duty.

Nuhu Ribadu is it! He positions himself at the forefront. Forever leading the assaults against known, perceived and unknown enemies. He would always do it to a disgusting fault.

He did it for former President Muhammadu Buhari until things fell apart between them. When Buhari expired on May 29, 2023. He swiftly switched position.

He began to sing another song immediately he clicked it with Tinubu. And he sings it like canary all the days of his life. The reason he picked on Canada for the wrong reason.

And that is why Canada would not bulge. It bluntly refused to give reason for its deft move. It would not dignify Ribadu either. He deserved it not. It owed him no apologies. It was unperturbed by his outpouring. It accorded him what exactly is his portion: Childish antics.

Ribadu and his ilk can rant and rave unending. It cares less. It’s not going to change anything. It insisted. The visa refusal is signed, sealed and delivered. Nothing missing. Nothing broken.

Unknown to him. Canada took it as if the request was never made. They have chosen their choice. And have moved past with the speed of light.

Ribadu & Co can lick their wounds forever, if they so elect. The matter is closed. Never to rear its ugly, disdain head again.

Canada’s response was in a terse statement. It injured further the feigned ego of agitator Ribadu. And infuriated him the more:

“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel to Canada by senior officials.

“However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to provide any comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals.”

This left Ribadu and his sort gasping for breathe. The rest of us took to guessing. An exemplar is this unverified anonymous source. It pontificated: “The Canadian Embassy refused to give CDS and top military officers visas because normal protocols were not followed.

“For such high profile military delegation, the embassy would need a note varbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A note verbale is official explanation on Nigeria’s position for the need of visas for the top generals.

“It is the only means of informing Canada that the President is aware and has approved the trip.”

You would not but wonder aloud. Why would a Ribadu ever think Canada would act otherwise. Why would on earth an NSA would be so confidently naive?

We were amused and amazed. What could have informed that uninformed thought? Share laziness? Or pure incompetence?

How dare Ribadu! That Canada would issue its visas to our top 10 military officers on a gold platter. That what happened?

One is compelled to ponder into the whirlwind. Why is Ribadu so crossed more than the victims of the visas refusal? He’s strangely crying more than the bereaved. Is there anything the matter?

Perhaps, he pretends to have welfare of the military top brass at heart. We suspect a hidden suspension. For now, Ribadu is succeeding in keeping that to himself. How long will he be able to conceal this from us? Time will tell. And it’s ticking.

The time to be realistic and practical is here with us. Must we honour every foreign invitation? We are at liberty to make a choice. What’s then our portion in a winter game in Canada?

Is that our biggest challenge now? We have an endless list of adversaries and adversities to contend with. Name them: From Boko Haram to kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. The latest being Lakurawa. Yet, we leave all these to fester unhindered.

These excessive and expensive foreign trips must come to an end. They are not in synergy with our economic realities. We need an honest rethink and reset.

Let’s therefore go down on our knees. And pray: That other countries that genuinely have our interest at heart should emulate Canada. It ought to be our fervent prayer.

We must learn to faithfully mind our business. That’s how great nations are built. We have Herculean task on our fragile hands. And we have no viable alternative.

This task must be done and done well. Let’s stick strictly to the sit-at-home order from Canada. This timely order is good for our economic health. It’s the only choice we have now. What’s more; it’s doable!

Surely. The last has not been heard of Ribadu and the visa refusal. The NSA is in the eye of the stormy storm. He remains an irritating recurrent decimal in our choked space.

It is advisable for Ribadu to drink from the knowledge in this profound old Yoruba saying. Loosely translated: “A child who refuses to listen to elders at home will be taught wisdom from outside.” And he would be glad he did.

Let Ribadu be instructed with the right instructions. Let him be directed in the right directions. And let him be advised with the right advice.

The business of diplomacy is a serious business. It won’t tolerate or accommodate grandstanding!