Civil societies kick against armed forces bill

By Musa Odoshimokhe

Members of the civil society organisations (CSOs) have unanimously rejected the proposed Armed Forces Commission Bill. They described the bill as an “invitation to anarchy”.

In a communique after deliberating on the issue, Comrade Danelsi Momoh, Comrade Kabir Dallah said the National Assembly had not shown it was guided by the interest of the nation.

According to the group, the bill is “retrogressive and an attempt to undermine the powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces”.

The CSOs resolved that the NASS is acting against the interest of the country and heating up the polity.

The group warned the NASS to avoid undermining the office of the President, the nation’s constitution and armed forces.

“The Parliamentary Watch at its one-day town hall meeting deliberated on the activities of the National Assembly with regards to the robustness of its deliberations vis-à-vis the introduction and passage of bills that are of national concern.

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“There was an extensive deliberation of some of the new bills introduced by the National Assembly, and the impact such bills, when passed into law, would have on the overall wellbeing of the country.

“The Bill is advocating that the Armed Forces Service Commission shall have the power to approve the promotion of officers as heads of military formations/branches such as General Officers Commanding Divisions of the Nigerian Army and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force, amongst a host of others.

“Members of the Parliamentary Watch unanimously agreed that the National Assembly has not proven that it has the interest of Nigeria at heart with the Bill slated for Second reading of the floor.

“That the proposed Armed Forces Service Commission bill is retrogressive and an attempt to undermine the powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as stipulated in Chapter Six, Section 2 (1) (2).”

The group maintained that the Armed Forces Service Commission bill lacks merit in its conceptualization, adding its provisions are against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That the Armed Forces as a highly sensitive and strategic institution constitutionally mandated to defend Nigeria from external aggression and maintaining its territorial integrity and sovereignty should not and cannot be subjected to the whims and caprices of politicians and against National Interest.

“That the National Assembly must save its face from this despicable attempt at usurping the powers of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces with regards to the appointment of Service Chiefs in the country.”