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Tag: CSO

  • NGO commend Army boss over FOI request

    The New Initiative for Credible Leadership (NICreL) has saluted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai for entrenching transparency in the military following his prompt response to the the Freedom of Information request made to the Nigerian Army by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Enough is Enough (EiE), and BudgIT
    NICreL said it was pleased with the COAS for releasing the requested information without hesitation.
    Rev. Samson Onwu, Executive Director of the group in a statement on Sunday, warned SERAP, EiE and BudgIT against jeopardizing national security with the information made available to them.
    He said, “NICreL recognizes that the COAS and the Nigerian Army broke away from the traditional consideration for national security to comply with the request of the three groups. This is commendable on the part of General Buratai even though Nigerians will be watching to see the use to which these organizations put the information they have acquired. Such outcomes will influence the reaction of citizens in the future when organizations or individuals come under the Freedom of Information Act to request information that impact national security.
    “The culture of transparency, for which General Buratai is known, institutionalized and is now entrenching through the release of the information, is commendable. With due respect, we, however, have the strong belief in his discretion to have released the information only after it is duly certified that there is nothing sensitive contained in the document to jeopardize national interest and security.
    “This concern on our part is informed by the recent experiences, in which an international organization was exposed by the Nigerian Army for passing information it obtained in the course of its work to Boko Haram terrorists in addition to using its activities in the northeast as cover to train and equip the insurgents. The country is equally yet in the throes of the publication of classified military information about an impending operation against Boko Haram by Daily Trust newspaper.
    “This nasty experience with Daily Trust is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians even as NICreL and other CSOs await an apology from the newspaper following a seven-day ultimatum for it to tender it.
    “We therefore hope that some NGOs have no been contracted to make bogus requests to jeopardize national security. This raises suspicion that it is a matter of time before the entire military is buried in an avalanche of Freedom of Information request that will soon extend to proxies asking for details to expose operational strategies of the war against terrorism.

    Read Also:NGOs petition Buhari over insecurity, violence in Ogun

    “Much as SERAP enjoys a remarkable level of public trust as a civil society organization (CSO), not much can be said about other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) especially given their association with foreign NGOs like Amnesty International that is  practically at war with the Nigerian Army. These international NGOs have never been fully absolved of being non-complicit in obstructing the military for the benefit of insurgents and separatists.
    “Our understanding is that there is a limit to the obligation of military and security agencies when it comes to releasing information under the FOI Act. This has to be especially considered in view of the glaring danger of information being legally obtained for the sole goal of passing same to terrorists. We therefore appeal to General Buratai as the COAS and the Nigerian Army as an institution, with the entire military, to be mindful of the limit of information that is passed to such group for the sake of the integrity of the country and national security.
    “We use this opportunity to put SERAP, EiE and BudgIT on notice that they now shoulder the burden of responsibly using the information the Nigerian Army has reeleased to them. This will extend to taking considerable caution against the publication of details that could compromise national security. They should also commit to not transferring these details to any  foreign partners, Boko Haram or any other questionable entity since that was not the intent of the Act. Where they elect to breach the sacred trust anticipated by the Freedom of Information Act, to deploy the information they have acquired for evil use, they can count on Nigerians coming after them with all the actions permissible under the law. NICreL is prepared to lead the charge should the situation arise.”

  • Electoral bill: CSOs back Buhari

    Coalition of Civil Society Organisation for Justice and Equity (CCSO-JE) yesterday backed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign the 2018 Electoral Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly into law.

    The CSOs said President Buhari’s refusal to sign the electoral bill into law was in the best interest of the nation at this particular time considering its closeness to 2019 elections.

    CCSO-JE Chief Convener Olayemi Success, who read the statement jointly signed by the eighteen CSOs at a briefing in Abuja, said passing the electoral bill into law could put next year’s election in danger.

    According to Success, Nigeria’s democracy is being threatened by conflicting interests as it regards smooth conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Read also: 3,000 Cs of O more for Ogun landlords

    He said: “We are very much mindful of the fact that Nigeria is just less than 70 days away from the conduct of the 2019 general elections. Therefore, signing the bill at this time will run fowl of Article 2 of the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

    “Nigerians are not ready to entertain any postponement of the 2019 general elections in the name of eleventh honour amendment of our electoral laws. As advocates of democracy, we take side with the action of Mr. President as it is in the best interest of the nation at this particular time.

    “We urge all critical stakeholders in the electioneering process to understand and appreciate the decision of Mr. President to decline assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018.

    “As a matter of fact, the 2015 general elections were adjudged globally as the best, fairest, freest and most credible ever in the history of Nigeria. Those elections were conducted under our existing electoral laws and we see no reason for a sudden change of status quo.”

     

  • CSOs deplore vote buying in Ekiti

    TWO civil society organisations (CSOs), Situation Room and Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), yesterday called for legislative action and stricter law enforcement to curb vote buying.

    In its interim statement on the Ekiti State Governorship election, Situation Room said vote buying was “widespread”.

    It said the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), were culpable.

    Situation Room said field reports from its observers and other partner election observer networks showed that in some cases, the location and positioning of the polling booths and ballot boxes contributed to the non-secrecy of the ballot and vote buying.

    The Situation Room comprises over 70 civil society organisations working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria.

    At a briefing in Ado-Ekiti by its Convener Mr. Clement Nwankwo, Situation Room said: “The major political parties were very much culpable in this breach.

    “The widespread nature and brazenness of vote buying by political parties and candidates create a dent on the outcome of any election and raise concern that Nigeria’s electoral process is being monetised with impunity.”

    CTA expressed concern that the rising cases of vote buying that trailed recently conducted governorship polls in some states of the federation was capable of destroying Nigeria’s democracy.

    Its Executive Director, Dr. Chima Amadi, whose body deployed 62 election observers to monitor the election, said both major parties and insignificant parties participated in cash-for-vote saga.

    Addressing a news conference on Saturday shortly after the poll, Amadi said vote buying would make leaders become irresponsible and unaccountable to the electorate.

    He urged the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to devise measures to tackle the menace to make the electoral process more credible.

  • CSO seeks sanction for politicians involved in violence

    A CIVIL society organisation, Election Monitor, has called for sanctions for political office holders and other highly placed individuals that may be involved in electoral violence during the Ekiti governorship election.

    Its National Coordinator, Abiodun Ajijola, made the call at the public presentation of the 2018 Ekiti Governorship Election Observation and Research Guide, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    He called security agencies to announce sanctions for security operatives involved in election malpractices during the election.

    Ajijola said sanctioning security personnel involved in malpractice would serve as deterrent to politicians and others who may want to be involved in such conduct.

    He said: “There should be effective sanctions for political office holders and other highly placed individuals involved in Electoral violence. At least handing them over to the police for prosecution.

    “There is a need for INEC to appeal to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to intervene by providing very clear consequences for security operatives who are partisan and work against the conduct of peaceful elections irrespective of political affiliations.

    “This is key because much of what has happened in the past where insecurity did not allow elections to be concluded is a show of force of different political actors who have influence over security in different ways.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • INEC, CSOs urges parties to give opportunities to women, disabled

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Civil Society Organization, CSOs, have stressed the need for women, youths, disabled individuals and other marginalized section of society to be allowed to participate in party politics during the 2019 general election.

    The representatives of these groups stated this in Abakaliki on Thursday during a one day programme tagged: “Ebonyi Party Engagement with Marginalized Groups” organized by United States Agency for International Development, USAID and International Republican Institute, IRI at Monabliss Hotels and Suites, Abakaliki.

    Welcoming the participants who were drawn from various political parties across the 13 local government areas of the State, the Resident Programme Officer of IRI, Husan Hassan stated that essence of the programme was to place responsibility on political parties towards ensuring that they include women, youths and disabled individuals in governance and running of party affairs.

    Hassan called on political parties to go beyond the outcome of elections and connect with the citizenry through the implementation of constituency programmes and projects that would better the lot of the people.

    According to her, marginalized segments of the society should be allowed to take decision through their occupation of executive positions in political parties across the State.

    In her remarks, INEC gender Desk officer, Ebonyi state, Mrs. Idam Esther stated that the Commission had stressed the need for women to be allowed to actively participate in politics as an all-inclusive arrangement would help to reposition and reenergize the political
    arena in Nigeria’s democratic setting in the country.

    “INEC is working hard to ensure that the election in 2019 is all inclusive; INEC is saying that women should be active in politics; there is need for women, youths and disabled to be included both in election and decisions within the party.”

    Presenting a paper titled: “Improving the participation of marginalized groups in political party processes”, the Programme Officer of IRI, Sunday Alao, emjoined political parties to create platforms within their parties where issues surrounding the welfare and political future of the youths are discussed and enforced so that the youths can be carried along in active politics.

    Alao called on the marginalized groups to take the opportunities provided by political parties and get involved in party affairs so that they can emerge as flag bearers of their parties in the 2019 general election.

    Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress, APC represented by Pastor Victor Elemnnali and KOWA party, Comrade Adibe Nwafor Jenifer announced free nomination forms for women and youths in the 2019
    general elections.

  • CSO Hails Quick Rescue Of Abducted Dapchi Schoolgirls 

    A group of Civil Society groups under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Transparency and fGood Governance, has commended the quick intervention of the Nigerian military in the abduction of over 94 schoolgirl from their school in Dapchi, Yobe state which led to their immediate rescue.
    The group said as compared to the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls where the then government showed laxity in accepting that the girls were missing, the swift response of President Muhammadu Buhari and the military have ensured there was no hiding place for the abductors.
    Addressing journalists in Abuja, national president of the coalition, Patriot Sabo Odeh described those behind the abduction as “political Boko Haram” who hope to make political gains from the abduction of the girls.
    He therefore urged the military to be more vigilant, adding that the incident has proven that those benefitting from Boko Haram insurgency are yet to give up on their trade.
    He described the abduction as an attempt by Boko Haram to relaunch itself. He however said Nigeria as a country must at this point respond to the terror group with disproportionate force
    He said, “the attack on GGSTC Dapchi and the abduction of the girls is eerily similar to the abduction of the Chibok Girls in April of 2014, both being under one year to General Elections. It is however reassuring that the only similarity the two ugly incidents share is the timing.
    “In terms of response, the dispatch with which the government at all levels and the Nigerian Army responded is remarkable. It is also noteworthy that stakeholders have been focused on solutions as opposed to engaging in blame trading.”
    He appealled to all the relevant stakeholders to further intensify efforts at safely bringing back home the remaining girls in the coming hours so that their families can find relief.
    He said,  “We further appeal to anyone with information that will assist in locating the girls not to delay in sharing same with the military and security services.
    “The expectation is that contractor activists and political jobbers will not exploit the situation of these families to their own selfish ends as was the case in the past. Nigerians should pray for these families and for the immediate return of the girls.
    “We however want to task the government, the Nigerian Army with the other services of the military and the other security agencies to dispose of all niceties and crush all the remnants of the terrorist group without mercy.”

  • Don Waney’s CSO shot dead

    Don Waney’s CSO shot dead

    Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday killed the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the notorious terrorist Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney.

    It was a sting operation that led to the death of Augustine Agulegbu aka Nana, Agulegbu. He was the sixth in command to Don Waney and one of those who killed 23 worshippers on New Year’s Day in Omoku, Roves State.

    According to security sources, Agulegbu was gunned down in his camp at a bush between Rivers and Delta states, near Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.

    Rivers police Spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the death of Agulegbu, assured that policemen would continue to comb forests in the state in search of criminals, anywhere they might be hiding.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of ONELGA, Osi Olisa, gave an assurance that his administration would continue to offer the best support to security agencies and the Rivers government, in order to make the area safe for everyone.

    Olisa said: “The return of peace (to ONELGA) may not have been possible, without the commitment of our peace-loving Governor, Chief Ezenwo Wike. The government and good people of ONELGA are commending Governor Wike for his devoted efforts to sustain tranquility in our area.

    “We also appreciate all the security agencies, especially the DSS and the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt for the killing of Don Waney’s CSO. The crackdown of the CSO to the late Omoku gang leader, Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney, is part of the ongoing efforts to cleanse ONELGA of all social vices.”

    On January 28, a younger brother to Don Waney, Oluchi Igwedibia, aka Obatosu, was killed in Edo State, when he attempted to escape and he was gunned down by a combined team of security agencies, with his body displayed at the 6 division headquarters in Bori Camp, Port Harcourt.

    The joint operation by men of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the DSS, that led to the killing of Oluchi took place at Sabo Iyakpe in Etsako West LGA of Edo State, following accurate DSS  intelligence.

    One AK-47 rifle and three magazines were recovered from Oluchi, while at the time he was killed, he was still wearing a wrist band, bearing: “Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin is my spiritual father.”

    Oluchi was among the 32 cultists declared wanted on January 8 by the Rivers State Security Council, after Johnson was killed.

    Johnson and two of his lieutenants: Ikechukwu Adiele and Lucky Ode, were on January 6 killed in Enugu, Enugu State by soldiers and operatives of the DSS, while their bodies were on January 7 displayed to reporters at 6 division by the outgone General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the division, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh.

    When Johnson’s mansion, camp and shrines were raided by soldiers on November 20, 2017, ten human skulls and various human bones, among other items, were recovered, while seven suspects, including two women, were also arrested, with the infrastructure of terror demolished by the Federal Government on January 9, thereby outsmarting Governor Nyesom Wike, who indicated on January 8 that the mansion would be taken over by Rivers government.

  • Jega advocates reformation in election volunteering ahead of 2019

    Jega advocates reformation in election volunteering ahead of 2019

       Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says electoral volunteering require reformation to maximise its benefit ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Jega said this at a public lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Community in honour of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rahamon Bello, on Thursday in Lagos.

    The Reporter reports that the theme of the lecture is: “Prospects and Challenges of involving Volunteers in Nigeria’s Electoral Process”.

    According to him, such reform will reposition the continuous role of members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and academics in the election processes.

    He noted that this would open avenues for additional groups of professionals like engineers, doctors, journalists and others to join in volunteering.

    “In doing this slowly and steadily, it will set up measures to move in the direction of recruitment of volunteers, using a database of all those who have done election duty before.

    “Even when they have moved out of the NYSC or universities as students.

    “INEC, as an electoral body, needs to pay more attention to the identification and selection of credible individuals and Chief Security Officers as volunteers and partners for bringing about electoral integrity,’’ Jega said.

    According to him, the case for an increased role of volunteers in the Nigerian electoral process cannot be over-emphasized.

    He said volunteering was desirable, and if appropriately deployed, could add values to the integrity of elections.

    The don observed that since 2015, there has been enthusiasm and passion for volunteerism in the electoral process for both individuals and civil society organisations.

    “In 2011, the Transition Monitoring Group, a network of the CSO and professional groups working on elections, has mobilised and deployed thousands of volunteers for election observation and gathering data for parallel results tabulation.

    “However, it is worrisome that some corrupt politicians are beginning to find creative ways to compromise youth corps members and some students involved in election duties.’’

    Read Also: We must shun ‘do or die’ politics, warns Jega

    He added that these politicians were also increasingly penetrating and compromising seemingly credible CSOs.

    “Similarly, as the use of academic staff as collation and returning officers has become predictable, corrupt politicians are increasingly snooping around university campuses and INEC offices, especially over governorship elections.

    “They are also inducing lecturers with money, in the hope of compromising their role in result collation and tabulation.

    “So far, there is no evidence that they have succeeded, but the tendency is increasing and it is of great concern,’’ he said.

    From the experiences garnered in the 2011 and 2015 general, governorship, bye and rerun elections, Jega said that the current role of volunteers, as necessary and desirable as it was, “leaves much to be desired’’.

    He added that many challenges have arisen and needed to be appropriately addressed, in order to confer greater credibility and integrity to subsequent elections.

    “One key reform measures introduced by INEC beginning with the 2011 general elections and improved upon subsequently, was the removal of civil servants and permanent INEC staff from core election day duties.

    “These were replaced volunteers drawn from the NYSC as presiding officers and assistant presiding officers, students of federal tertiary institutions and university academic staff.

    “But these core members have been threatened, intimidated assaulted, maimed and even killed in the course of their voluntary election duties.

    “These emerging challenges need to be carefully studied and urgently addressed with appropriate measures deployed in order to protect the gains recorded.

    In his remark, the chairman of the Unilag Muslim Community, Prof. Lai Olurode said one of the areas of concern for INEC under Jega was how to deploy Nigeria’s immense and inexhaustible social capital in service of its electoral regime.

    He noted that previous attempts by INEC to track campaign and election expenses had been challenging for reasons of a paucity of information and logistic issues.

    According to him, it is the responsibility of the Muslim community in an academic environment to make the utmost of every social outing to interrogate pertinent public issues that could extend the frontiers of citizenship.

    Responding, the honouree and former VC, Prof. Bello expressed delight at the gesture of the Muslim Community, saying that he was proud being a member of the institution’s Muslim community.

    “As Muslims, we have the obligation of doing all we have to do, according to the Islamic tenets and the will of Allah.

    “We must be vanguards and good ambassadors of Islam at all times,” Bello, whose tenure ad the 11th VC of the university ended on Nov. 11, 2017, said.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, described the occasion as apt, given the current state of the country.

    NAN

  • CSO writes IGP, Idris, seeks FHA Managing Director’s resignation

    CSO writes IGP, Idris, seeks FHA Managing Director’s resignation

     

    A civil society group, Citizens without Border has written a letter to the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris for an approval to embark on a nation wide protests to press for the resignation of the managing director Federal Housing authority, Professor Muhammad Al-Amin from office.

    This the group said was caused by prolonged and protracted illness of the managing director which has affected the smooth running of the organization since he took over.

    Our correspondent gathered the demand was sequel to a notification letter sent to the honourable minister o f works, housing and power which was signed by the groups executive director Mr Daniel Iwen a copy of which was sent to our correspondent.

    The group further alleged that they have in their custody enough evidence to show that Al-Amin is incapacitated.

    All efforts to reach the public relations officer of the Federal Housing Authority have failed.

    In an interactive session with the group spokesman, he said the group have already officially copied the managing director federal Housing authority on the planned protest to save the board.

  • CSO writes Finance Minister, Adeosun over poor defence ministry implementation

    The Concerned Citizens Coalition for Change (CCCC) has written a letter to the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun urging her to look into and also seek ways of ensuring the proper implementation of the defence budget.
    The coalition in a letter to the Minister signed by Comrade Solomon Semaka said it has monitored the anti-terrorism war in Nigeria’s north-east and came to a conclusion that Nigerians have been irredeemably shortchanged to an extent that there should be consequences in addition to urgent remedial actions.

    He said the Defence Budget has performed poorly and this is having negative impact on the war against terrorism.

    “This has manifested in the ability of Boko Haram’s straggling fighters to regroup into new threats while military forces desperately wait for crucial releases to fund the next phases of procurements for operations.

    “Poor budgetary performance may be reluctantly tolerable in non-sensitive sectors of the national life but is totally a taboo where the security of the country is concerned.

    “Poor implementation poses risk to the military as too many things can go wrong when critical procurements like service parts for aircrafts, fighting gears and other consumables are not procured or maintenance contractual obligations are defaulted upon.

    “Aside the risk that such poses to the military, there is the possibility of Boko Haram terror group bouncing back if something is not urgently done to reverse the situation.

    “The Honorable Minister might have noticed that only the Nigerian Air Force, apparently out of patriotism for the fatherland, has continued to innovatively circumvent the limitations imposed by poor budget implementation to continue aerial bombardment of terrorist bases.

    “The Air Force has locally sourced or fabricated critical spare parts to address the paucity of funds for procuring the foreign made versions. While this has given the Federal Government and Nigerians value for money, this is not an ideal situation.

    “The insinuation making the round is that the Air Force was responsible for the attack which led to the death of its sister organization’s personnel. But our finding is that the Air Force is doing it’s best but cannot go beyond what is provided by the Federal Government.

    “Honourable Minister Ma, you must therefore be bold enough to own up to Nigerians your role in the death of innocent blood that have been shed in the last few months on account of your refusal to release funds to the military.

    “For us this raises questions about the budgetary practices initiated under your watch that entails focusing on revenue generation without recourse to the imperative of ensuring that this takes place in a secured environment.

    “The economy cannot recover neither can it grow if the military is not empowered to eradicate the Boko Haram menace and the other security breaches plaguing the country.

    “As the focal person that ensures that budgets are transparently implemented using global best practice, we hold you wholly responsible for the failure to fund defence related project that will ensure that the Armed Forces are well situated to discharge their duty.

    “May we also point out that your hands are soiled with the blood of military personnel that have died because of failing occasioned by late release of funds or failure to do so. The blood of the innocent civilians that die from Boko Haram still being able to launch attack is also on your conscience.

    “We consequently demand that your office announces measures to ensure proper implementation of the budget in the course of the next 72 hours. This should be backed with measurable actions that must be outlined with specific milestones.

    “Where the Honorable Minister of Finance fails to announce such measures within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter our Coalition would embark on a protest to the presidential villa from where we would lead the mother of all protests for a one-day total occupation of the Ministry of Finance, Abuja on Thursday October 2, 2017.

    “At the end of the one day occupation of the Ministry of Finance Headquarters our focus would shift to demanding your resignation as the Minister of Finance on account that the only thing you have brought to Nigerians is hardship and death. Protesters shall then look to mobilizing a broader coalition that will incorporate other groups with purpose of making it a Nationwide and sector-wide shutdown until President Muhammadu Buhari bows to the wishes of Nigerians and show you the way out.

    “We have the understanding of the various security agencies to peacefully escort the protest because the issue at hand directly affects their safety. Other civil society organizations have been contacted and mobilization is in progress to bring Nigerians unto the streets in their thousands to join the demand that the budget for defecence be properly implemented and not subjected to delays for the Minister of Finance’s personal interest.

    “We look forward to your cooperation in handling this matter in the best interest of the country”he said

    The letter reads in full

    The Honourable Minister of Finance,
    Federal Republic of Nigeria
    Federal Ministry of Finance
    Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business District
    Abuja,
    Dear Ma

    POOR DEFENCE BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION

    The Concerned Citizens Coalition for Change (CCCC) is a broad umbrella body for civil society organizations. Our member CSOs work in areas like anti-corruption and good governance, citizens protection, humanitarian intervention, relief efforts, human rights monitoring among others.
    Our coalition has monitored the anti-terrorism war in Nigeria’s north-east and came to a conclusion that Nigerians have been irredeemably shortchanged to an extent that there should be consequences in addition to urgent remedial actions.
    The Defence Budget has performed poorly and this is having negative impact on the war against terrorism. This has manifested in the ability of Boko Haram’s straggling fighters to regroup into new threats while military forces desperately wait for crucial releases to fund the next phases of procurements for operations.
    Poor budgetary performance may be reluctantly tolerable in non-sensitive sectors of the national life but is totally a taboo where the security of the country is concerned. Poor implementation poses risk to the military as too many things can go wrong when critical procurements like service parts for aircrafts, fighting gears and other consumables are not procured or maintenance contractual obligations are defaulted upon.
    Aside the risk that such poses to the military, there is the possibility of Boko Haram terror group bouncing back if something is not urgently done to reverse the situation.
    The Honorable Minister might have noticed that only the Nigerian Air Force, apparently out of patriotism for the fatherland, has continued to innovatively circumvent the limitations imposed by poor budget implementation to continue aerial bombardment of terrorist bases.
    The Air Force has locally sourced or fabricated critical spare parts to address the paucity of funds for procuring the foreign made versions. While this has given the Federal Government and Nigerians value for money, this is not an ideal situation.
    The insinuation making the round is that the Air Force was responsible for the attack which led to the death of its sister organization’s personnel. But our finding is that the Air Force is doing it’s best but cannot go beyond what is provided by the Federal Government. Honourable Minister Ma, you must therefore be bold enough to own up to Nigerians your role in the death of innocent blood that have been shed in the last few months on account of your refusal to release funds to the military.
    For us this raises questions about the budgetary practices initiated under your watch that entails focusing on revenue generation without recourse to the imperative of ensuring that this takes place in a secured environment. The economy cannot recover neither can it grow if the military is not empowered to eradicate the Boko Haram menace and the other security breaches plaguing the country.
    As the focal person that ensures that budgets are transparently implemented using global best practice, we hold you wholly responsible for the failure to fund defence related project that will ensure that the Armed Forces are well situated to discharge their duty. May we also point out that your hands are soiled with the blood of military personnel that have died because of failing occasioned by late release of funds or failure to do so. The blood of the innocent civilians that die from Boko Haram still being able to launch attack is also on your conscience.
    We consequently demand that your office announces measures to ensure proper implementation of the budget in the course of the next 72 hours. This should be backed with measurable actions that must be outlined with specific milestones.
    Where the Honorable Minister of Finance fails to announce such measures within 72 hours of the receipt of this letter our Coalition would embark on a protest to the presidential villa from where we would lead the mother of all protests for a one-day total occupation of the Ministry of Finance, Abuja on Thursday October 2, 2017.
    At the end of the one day occupation of the Ministry of Finance Headquarters our focus would shift to demanding your resignation as the Minister of Finance on account that the only thing you have brought to Nigerians is hardship and death. Protesters shall then look to mobilizing a broader coalition that will incorporate other groups with purpose of making it a Nationwide and sector-wide shutdown until President Muhammadu Buhari bows to the wishes of Nigerians and show you the way out.
    We have the understanding of the various security agencies to peacefully escort the protest because the issue at hand directly affects their safety. Other civil society organizations have been contacted and mobilization is in progress to bring Nigerians unto the streets in their thousands to join the demand that the budget for defecence be properly implemented and not subjected to delays for the Minister of Finance’s personal interest.
    We look forward to your cooperation in handling this matter in the best interest of the country as we hate to contemplate the alternatives.
    Thank you.
    Yours sincerely,

    Comrade Solomon Semaka
    For the Civil Society