Service Chiefs: ‘You must rise above politics, parochial interest on war against terrorism’

The Nigerian Senate has been asked to rise above politics and parochial interest on the war against terrorism in the country.

This advice came following the recent call by the Senate for the sack or resignation of the nation’s Service Chiefs.

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The Senate made the resolution following the motion moved by Ali Ndume on Tuesday.

President Buhari, however, while reacting, reiterated that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative, and he will in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (United Kingdom Chapter), said the call for the sack or resignation of the nation’s Service Chiefs was borne out of selfish interest and not in the best interest of Nigeria.

Angela Boroh, President of the group in a statement on Wednesday, called on the Service Chiefs not to be distracted by the call but remain focused to restore normalcy to troubled areas.

“Rather than meddle in the tenure of the Service Chiefs, the Senate, and indeed the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should have concerned itself with legislative interventions to curb irregular movement that has allowed a steady flow of recruits from other countries into the folds of Boko Haram, stop the flow of illicit small and light firearms into the country and review treaties that allow nationals of neighbouring countries to enter into Nigeria without restrictions.

“They should also come up with creative ideas on how to stem terrorist financing through legal instruments instead of moving motions that strengthen Boko Haram and the Islamic State,” the group noted.

It added that, “the Senate should have known without being told that the resolution it adopted is a glaring hijack of President Muhammadu Buhari’s functions as the Commander-in-Chief.

“Senate’s persistence to micro-manage or take over the running of the Armed Forces is alien to the constitution and runs contrary to the convention in Nigeria, which could only end b badly for the country if allowed to stand”.

While urging the Service Chiefs to brush aside the call for their resignation, the group urged them to take steps to carry out internal confidence building in order to undo some of the damages that the Senate’s motion might have caused.