By Joseph Edegbo
Northern Nigeria Leaders have condemned the on-going face-off between the executive and legislative arms of government saying that it is capable of truncating democracy in the country.
The northern leaders, under the umbrella of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) met in Kaduna, North West of the country and issued a communique, condemning the political squabbles in the nation’s polity.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mohammad Ibrahim Biu quoting the communique described the excesses of the Directorate of the Security Service (DSS) in the country, as a great threat to the present democratic dispensation.
It condemned last week’s siege “on the citadel of democracy, the National Assembly, by the men of the Department of State Security (DSS)”.
“The meeting said the actions of the DSS run contrary to democratic tenets and reeks of intolerance. NEC therefore applauded the actions taken by the FG and urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the immediate and remote causes of the NASS invasion by the DSS personnel in order to unveil the truth and to sanction all those found culpable, no matter their status both within and without the service”.
“And because punitive measure was never taken against those involved in similar episodes in the past, it has encouraged the DSS to do what it recently did to the NASS. ACF therefore commends the actions taken so far by the Presidency against the DSS as deterrent to future occurrences.”
“The ACF Meeting “also expressed serious concern on the lingering crisis between the Executive and the National Assembly on issues of good governance which is not only avoidable but also very embarrassing”, pointing out that “the situation has not only affected governance but also the polity and growth of our nascent democracy.”
“Both the Executive and the NASS members are in place in order to deliver on the promise of democracy and not to engage in unnecessary flexing of muscles that have nothing to do with real issues of real concern to real ordinary Nigerians.”
ACF therefore appealed to both the Presidency and the National Assembly leadership “to sheath their swords and put the interests of Nigeria above all other pecuniary considerations”.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Consultative Forum’s quarterly meeting presided over by the Acting Chairman, Musa Liman Kwande, was attended by NEC members from the 19 Northern States and FCT.
“The meeting paid glowing tributes to the late Chairman, Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, GCON, Sardaunan Katsina, who died on the 19th July,2018, in Katsina. His career in the Nigerian Police Force from Cadet Officer to the top as Inspector General of Police for 36years was eventful and fulfilling”.
“NEC urged Nigerians to emulate his legacy of service to humanity, hard work and due diligence and love for traditional values most northerners cherish.”
Equally eulogized by NEC, “were the deaths of our elder statesman Mallam Adamu Ciroma whose contributions to the development of the North and of the country in general are common place, and ACF National Financial Secretary Alhaji Ahmed Bawa and others who also died recently.”
The ACF meeting also received in audience the leadership of the Youth Assembly at the United Nations YAUN, led by Amb. Dawan Gabriel Kudangbena, President of the Youth Assembly, North Central zone of Nigeria.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/05/30/news/democracy-day-be-more-resilient-to-ensure-our-democracy-becomes-stronger-ngo-tells-nigerians/