A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has thrown its weight behind the Senate Minority Leader and senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinaya Abaribe, for sponsoring the Armed Forces Service Commission Bill and moving motion for its consideration on Wednesday the floor of the Senate.
The group, under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society for Peace and National Security, however, flayed the disposition of some senators towards the bill, describing the bill as timely considering the nation’s security problems which it observed were being fueled by ethnic factors.
In a statement, Thursday, signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Mohammed Nagogo, and National Secretary, Barr. (Mrs) Funke Ademola, respectively, the group, which flayed the barrage of criticisms that trailed the consideration of the bill, however, said it found consolation in the fact that the sponsor was asked to amend some clauses and re-present it for consideration.
To this end, it tasked the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and all other senators to support the Senate Minority Leader Senator Abaribe, who represents Abia to see to the success of the bill.
The statement reads: “We write to strongly commend Senator Eyinaya Abaribe for his courage and sense of patriotism for sponsoring a Bill that seeks for an establishment of Armed Forces Commission. We applaud him for moving a motion for the consideration of the bill on the floor of the Senate yesterday.
“Although the bill was rejected due to some sentiments, it would have addressed some critical issues that are hindering performance in our Armed Forces. The bill would have addressed the issue of injustice being perpetrated against some geopolitical zones of the country.
“No doubt,the bill will also encourage commitment and hardwork from members of the Armed Forces. We are suprised that such an important bill that was capable of ending issues promoting insecurity in Nigeria would be discarded in the manner we observed at the National Assembly.
“Though it was said that the bill be amended and re-presented by the mover, we hope it was not a ploy to completely discard it. We, in the civil society wish to completely align ourselves with the bill.”
They added: “We call on the Senate President and other senators not to allow themselves to be used by some external forces who are benefiting from the age-long imbalance that has trailed appointments into offices in the security sector of our country.
“Senators must look beyond religious, and ethnic sentiments when considering such an important bill. We are however, glad that there is still a window for the bill to be re-presented hence we urge Senate Minority Leader to make necessary adjustments to the bill and re-present it before the Senate.
“We appeal to all the senators to support this bill in the interest Nigeria. We advise our citizens that we should consider the interest of the country first in everything we do, as it is the only way we can get it right.”
