The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday called on Service Chiefs to
“step aside”.
On Wednesday, a source close to the federal government
claimed that the Senate resolution was reached at the Presidential Villa,
Abuja.
On Friday July 17, President Muhammadu Buhari had a parley
with Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The source asserted that the meeting agreed that the
legislature should demand the ouster of the Service Chiefs.
He said: “The lawmakers are providing cover for Mr.
President to execute his plan to replace the top military hierarchy. Their
removal was sealed at the meeting.
“You asked why Mr. President has not fired them already?
This has been long delayed for reasons best known to him; he now has the
rationale.
“Also remember, after that meeting, he warned ministers and
heads of agencies’ to respect the National Assembly.
“That comment was not just about their attitude, disregard
for lawmakers’ invitation/summons or ongoing investigative hearings.
“All of this fits into a bigger political play. NASS is
being used to provide cover for Mr. President to do what he wants to.”
The military chiefs, appointed by Buhari in 2015, clocked 5
years in office on July 13.
Arguably, their tenure is the longest enjoyed by security
heads since Nigeria became an independent country.
They are Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin – Chief of Defence Staff;
Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai – Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas –
Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar – Chief of Air
Staff.
But despite the spate of insecurity, Buhari has refused to
fire them.
Nigerians and groups have been protesting even in the face
of Police harassment and intimidation.
This has not deterred them from condemning the president for
retaining the quartet.
They say Buhari, a retired General, only issues occasional
directives that are yet to change the situation.
Security and the economy were the two issues the president
and the All Progressives Congress (APC) based their electioneering campaign on.
On a weekly basis, officers and soldiers fighting Boko
Haram/ISWAP are killed in action, with some deserting or resigning from the
Armed Forces.
Hundreds of marauding terrorists and bandits continue to
maim civilians; women and children are not spared.
Nigeria’s security challenge may be aggravated with the
invitation to bandits operating in North-Central and North-West by Boko Haram
factional leader, Abubakar Shekau.
A Shekau commander requested “brothers in Lake Chad,
Cameroon, Sambisa, Niger State, Zamfara State”, to join the sect.
“Keep doing it (attacks) because Allah instructed us in the
Holy Quran to strive harder for His cause. Allah has instructed us to kill
everyone that is unbelieving.”
“We thank God who put us on this path, to promote His words
and institute His law. We call you to join us to institute Sharia globally.
When you come, we will accept you according to (Shari’ah) law, and we (will)
worship Allah as He commands us.”
Meanwhile, going by the latest position, Nigerian lawmakers
too have had enough.
On Tuesday, the Senate told the Service Chiefs to go after
considering a motion on the rising number of casualties in the Nigerian Army
and other security agencies.
The motion for their resignation was contained in a proposed
amendment to the resolutions of the Senate.
It was moved by Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (PDP – Osun East)
and seconded by Betty Apiafi (PDP – Rivers West).
The Red Chamber also urged Buhari to urgently provide modern
equipment to enhance the operational capabilities of the military.
Ali Ndume (APC – Borno South), sponsor of the original
motion, under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, recalled that 24
soldiers were recently ambushed and killed along Damboa – Maiduguri road in
Borno State.
He decried that similarly, 19 were wounded and 9 declared
missing.
“The Senate is disturbed that in Katsina again, about 20
soldiers were also ambushed and killed while several others were wounded. The Senate
appreciates the sacrifices of our armed forces in the fight against insurgency,
banditry and protection of the territorial integrity of Nigeria,” he said.
Ndume warned that if the trend continues, there will be
grievous implications on the fight against insurgency and banditry in Africa’s
biggest nation.
After one minute silence in honour of fallen soldiers, the
Senate mandated the joint committee on Army, Air Force, Navy, National Security
and Nigeria Police, to receive briefings on the current conditions of affairs.
Lawan charged the committee to look into the desertion of
soldiers battling enemies of the state.
“The spirit of this motion is that our Armed Forces are
trying very hard, but just like the President said, their good is not good
enough. We need to continue to encourage and provide for them. They lay their
lives on behalf of us.
“It is very sad that some of them are alleged to have
deserted the war front. We need to get to the bottom of this. Our joint
committee should be able to find out the facts about this allegation of over
200 deserting the war front”, Lawan added.
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