The attention of a concerned Nigerian and an opinion moulder, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, has been drawn to recent comments by Senator Adams Oshiomhole questioning military expenditure and demanding that the Armed Forces publicly justify funds allocated for national defence.

While no patriotic citizen opposes accountability in governance, Senator Oshiomhole’s remarks raise serious concerns about judgment, timing, and the broader implications for national security at a period when the country is confronting some of the most complex security challenges in its history.

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It is both surprising and disappointing that a politician of Senator Oshiomhole’s experience and standing would choose this critical moment to publicly cast doubt on the efforts of the Nigerian military, an institution whose officers and men continue to make extraordinary sacrifices in defence of the nation.

The distinguished Senator must appreciate that Nigeria is not fighting a conventional war. Our Armed Forces are simultaneously confronting terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, separatist violence in the South-East, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, oil theft in the Niger Delta, kidnapping across various regions, and numerous other security threats that threaten national stability.

Against this backdrop, public calls that appear to place the military in the dock of public opinion risk undermining the confidence of troops who are daily risking their lives for the country.

Senator Oshiomhole must be reminded that accountability and national security are not mutually exclusive. However, there are established constitutional mechanisms for legislative oversight of defence spending. As a serving Senator and former governor, he understands that sensitive military matters are best handled through appropriate institutional channels rather than through statements that may inadvertently provide ammunition to those seeking to weaken public confidence in the Armed Forces.

The question that many Nigerians are asking is simple: What message do such statements send to soldiers currently deployed in hostile territories? What signal does it send to the families of officers who have lost loved ones in the line of duty? And what encouragement does it offer to troops spending months away from their families to keep the nation safe?

At a time when morale and national unity should be priorities, Senator Oshiomhole’s intervention unfortunately risks creating unnecessary distractions from the real task of defeating the enemies of Nigeria.

The truth remains that despite enormous challenges, the Nigerian military has continued to record significant operational successes across the country.

In recent years, the Armed Forces have:

  • Eliminated numerous terrorist and bandit leaders responsible for attacks on communities.
  • Destroyed several terrorist enclaves and criminal hideouts across multiple theatres of operation.
  • Rescued thousands of kidnapped victims and civilians held by insurgents and criminal gangs.
  • Recovered large caches of illegal weapons and ammunition.
  • Intensified operations that have significantly disrupted crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
  • Improved maritime security and strengthened Nigeria’s standing in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
  • Restored government presence in several communities previously under the influence of criminal groups.
  • Continued to support civil authorities during emergencies and national assignments.
  • Maintained Nigeria’s reputation as a leading contributor to peacekeeping and regional security efforts across Africa.

These achievements have come at a tremendous cost.

Many brave officers and soldiers have paid the supreme sacrifice. Others continue to bear physical and emotional scars from years of service in some of the world’s most challenging operational environments. Rather than subjecting these men and women to public suspicion, national leaders should be seeking ways to improve their welfare, strengthen their capabilities, and boost their morale.

It is important to state unequivocally that constructive criticism of government institutions is legitimate in any democracy. However, there is a difference between constructive oversight and public commentary that can be interpreted as diminishing the sacrifices and achievements of those defending the nation.

Senator Oshiomhole’s concerns, if genuinely motivated by the desire for accountability, should be pursued through the constitutional powers available to the National Assembly. Public grandstanding on sensitive security matters serves little purpose beyond generating headlines and unnecessary controversy.

At this critical juncture in Nigeria’s history, what the military needs is not political posturing, public skepticism, or statements capable of demoralizing personnel. What they need is national solidarity, adequate funding, improved welfare, modern equipment, and the unwavering support of political leaders across party lines.

I therefore call on Senator Adams Oshiomhole to exercise greater caution and responsibility in his public commentary regarding the Armed Forces. National security must never become a platform for political optics or populist rhetoric.

The men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces deserve our gratitude, our encouragement, and our support. They are not perfect, no institution is, but they remain one of the most important pillars of Nigeria’s unity, stability, and survival.

This is the time to stand with our troops, not to place them on trial in the court of public opinion.

Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.