- Twenty-two civil society organisations have condemned the call by some lawmakers for the sack of Nigeria's service chiefs
- The civil society organisations politicians are benefiting form the security crisis ravaging the country
- The Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative (CGGCI) said there is a clear case of conspiracy against the Nigerian state by persons who are the greatest beneficiary of the system
Some civil society organisations have condemned the recent call by lawmakers of the Nigerian Senate to sack all the service chief in Nigeria.
The organisations - 22 of them under the aegis of Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative (CGGCI) - accused some politicians in the country of benefiting from the insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, April 18, the convener of CGGCI, Emmanuel Ogenyi, said these politicians worsen the insecurity in Nigeria by giving cover to some criminals.
Ogenyi said there is a clear case of conspiracy against the Nigerian state by some beneficiary of the ongoing crimes across the country.
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He said: "This is a clear case of conspiracy against the Nigerian state by persons who are the greatest beneficiary of the system."
"The military had concluded on decisively dealing with these security threats before the elections so that no one would use them as excuse to postpone or scuttle the polls as was the case in the past.
"This is commendable and proof that the military is desirous of defending and protecting our democracy at any cost," Ogenyi said.
He added that the group has gathered the military's position in defending the country's security has greatly unsettled the beneficiaries of the security breaches and threats in Nigeria.
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"It is an attempt at appearing to be patriotic that culminated in the motion by Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe supported by Senator Solomon Olamilekan, Senator Philip Gyunka, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
"These elements called for change of security chiefs under the pretext that they are concerned about the safety of Nigerians.
The CSOs said there is a clear case of conspiracy against the Nigerian state by some persons. Photo credit: Chris Oko
"To the best of our knowledge, this call for change of security chiefs is nothing but another political game for the 2019 General Elections, in which the only winners are the politicians.
"They therefore have the incentive to divert attention from practical solutions to the security situation in the country.
"This is why they conveniently omitted to acknowledge that the militias and terrorists that are driving these crises were armed, coordinated and financed by members of the political class and how these killings are masterminded by those who have refused to empower the youths in line with electoral promises," Ogenyi added.
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He said the National Assembly as an institution should wake up to the reality and enormity of the duty they owe Nigeria.
He noted that rather than asking for a change in military leadership the National Assembly must first provide the necessary political support for addressing Nigeria's security challenges.
Ogenyi added: "Had the legislature demonstrated an equal zeal as opposed to actively supporting terrorists, these crises would have been history by now.
"We challenge the federal lawmakers to deliver resolutions that will tackle foreign nations that are sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria, like Iran. This must be in addition to calling out countries that midwifed the instability that has poured fighters and weapons into Nigeria from Libya and other North African states.
"National Assembly members have the burden of calling themselves and other politicians to order and arrive at an accord not to introduce more firearms into the country as Nigerians go to poll.
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"They will also have to introduce mechanism for mopping up the weapons they had given out in the past while discretely tipping security agencies to the criminal killer squads they set up as private militias," he concluded.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reported how some Senators had called on the Presidency to sack all the service chiefs in Nigeria.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the senator representing Lagos west said President Muhammadu Buhari needs new ideas from fresh minds to end frequent killings in the Nigeria.
He said this in response to an instance cited by Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe, representing Nasarawa south constituency,
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Source: Naija.ng
