As Nigeria marks her 57 anniversary of freedom from colonial masters tomorrow, October 1, a group of 22 Civil Society Organizations under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency and Good Governance has acknowledged the role of the Nigerian military in protecting and defending the sovereignty of Nigeria.
Speaking after a plenary session in Abuja as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 57th Independence Anniversary, the group appealed to the Nigerian military not to relent in going after terrorists that do not want Nigeria to keep existing as a united country.
A communique issued on Friday and jointly signed by its Chairman, Patriot Sabo Odeh and Secretary, Samson Onwu, said Nigeria must continue to rally round the Nigerian Armed Forces as its men sweat it out on daily basis to keep the nation as one.
The communiqué reads in full.
The plenary noted the increasing agitation for restructuring of Nigeria and further observed that the content, nature, process and procedures for achieving the restructuring being canvassed are unconstitutional and constitutes unnecessary heating of the polity for selfish and primordial interest.
It was further noted that criminals and terrorists are hiding behind these demands of self seeking Nigerians to attempt dividing Nigeria in violation of all known international instruments; these terrorists, in addition to canvassing their manifestoes, are currently attempting to intimidate, blackmail and subdue the military and security agencies including direct attacks on troops.
We want to assert that the agitations by terrorists that are pursuing secessionist agenda must be immediately tackled without sentiments and bias if Nigeria is to celebrate more Independence anniversaries as a united and prosperous country.
We charge the advocates of restructuring to channel their demands through the National Assembly since it would help Nigeria evolve into a better country but that this must happen within the context of a country that remains independent, united and fair to all citizens.
Secessionists, separatists and terrorists should take note that Nigeria has in place legislations, legal framework and institutions that will deal with acts of criminality; nothing in international instruments suggests that Nigeria submits its sovereignty to please aspiring colonial overlords and their foot soldiers.
We urge the civil populace to continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces as the “guardian” of the country against current and future threats to the country’s sovereignty that could come from both internal and external sources.
The coalition salutes the Nigerian Army for defending Nigeria’s democracy since the 1999 return to civil rule by deferring to civil authorities which it respects at all times while professionally countering threats posed by extremist and terror groups like Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Boko Haram.
It appealed to the Nigerian military not to relent in going after terrorists that do not want Nigeria to keep existing as a united country.
Also, all stakeholders in the Nigerian project are encouraged to always remember that patriotism demands everyone to be forward looking in their approaches. To this end, a committee to evolve a new narrative of greatness for Nigeria’s 100 years of independence was constituted and terms of reference given for all Nigerians to work together as one family in love and unity for the good of our country.
