Seven members of the All Progressives Congress in the Senate on
Monday dared the leadership of their party by participating
in the screening of the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs
recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The APC had last week directed its members in the
National Assembly to block the passage of all legislative bills, including
the 2014 budget, and the screening of ministerial nominees as well as the
CDS and the new service chiefs.
But Senators Akin Odunsi, Kabiru Marafa, Sani Saleh, Atai Aidoko,
Babafemi Ojudu, Jubrilla Bindo, and Ajayi Boroffice, were among
other senators who participated actively in the joint committees of Defence,
Army, Navy and Air Force to screen the new military chiefs in Abuja.
The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator George Sekibo, observed
that the screening was the first to be carried out by the Senate since the
return of Nigeria to civil rule.
He said such had not been done despite the fact that Sections 217 to 219
of the 1999 Constitution as amended made provision for it.
Sekibo also said past administrations in the country had not been
sending the names of service chiefs for confirmation despite the fact that the
National Assembly enacted the Armed Forces Act 2004.
This Act makes it mandatory for federal lawmakers to confirm the
appointment of service chiefs.
Sekibo said, “The screening exercise today(Monday) therefore is in
fulfillment of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Armed Forces Act
2004 (Cap A.20 ). This exercise we are performing will satisfy the
provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Act and completely put our Armed
Forces under our democratic norms.”
Sekibo noted that Nigeria was currently undergoing some
major security challenges including the Boko Haram insurgency in the
North- East, oil theft and pipeline vandalisation in the South-South and
kidnapping in the South-East.
Sekibo added that the committee members would screen the
competence of the military officers in strategic military operations.
The screening which lasted several hours, was done behind closed doors.
The joint committee has one week to submit its report.
Tags
Politics
Any sane thinking person would know that this directive is evil and those not favour the nation. I am glad that they are some wise thinking men amongst the mob of APC crowd. Who place the nation first before party politics
ReplyDeleteWise senators! The party APC wanted the previleged senators to give away their right of screening the service chiefs, a first time act. Our senators know better than to offend the electorate at this crucial pre- election year. They represent the Nigerian masses and not their party. They can't afford to make an enemy out of the electorate, our votes are powerful. Ride on senators, do your job earn our votes period!
ReplyDeleteJust do your job. Too much irrelevant business in recent times. The masses are suffering snd you guys are eating fat.
ReplyDelete