President Buhari Asked To Tackle Nigeria’s Insecurity Or Face Impeachment

A coalition of 42 civil society organizations (CSOs) have asked President Muhamadu Buhari to tackle the insecurity rocking the nation or face impeachment on grounds of gross misconduct.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Mr Jaiye Gaskia, of United Action for Democracy (UAD), on behalf of the CSOs.

The coalition includes BudgiT Foundation Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and others.

In the statement, the CSOs warned that they would prevail on the National Assembly to initiate an impeachment process against Buhari if he fails to fulfil his constitutional duties.

“Where the President fails to fulfil his constitutional duties as stated above, we demand he step aside or the National Assembly initiates impeachment proceedings against him on grounds of gross misconduct as provided for in Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it partly reads.

The CSOs also urged the federal government to seek international cooperation in the fight against criminals and terrorists.

Furthermore, the CSOs also condemned the statement by the Minister of Defence, Bashir Salihi Magashi who called on Nigerians to defend themselves.

“The government, through the Minister of Defence, has instead callously abdicated its responsibility and called Nigerian citizens ‘cowards’ and urged Nigerians to defend themselves.

“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, what has now become the government’s standard state policy of using taxpayers’ money to pay terrorists thereby funding and encouraging terrorism and criminality.

“President Buhari and his government have failed in their primary duty under Section 14 2(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which is ensuring the security and welfare of the Nigerian people. Instead, under their watch, Nigeria is now a catalogue of bloodletting.

“This government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to protect Nigerians as it remains its primary duty under Section 14 (2)b of the 1999 Constitution and we hold President Buhari solely responsible as the buck stops at his desk.

“As Civil Society organisations, we call on the President to take immediate steps to: Provide political and moral leadership in the security crisis and ensure governmental actions are humane in tandem with Section 17 (2) (C) of the Constitution;

“End impunity for abuse of power and sectionalism through his appointments by balancing the need for competence with the federal character principle. In this way, he will demonstrate that every part of Nigeria matters as sectional appointments appear to fuel sectional violence;

“Take responsibility and end the persecution of the media and free speech both of which are foundations of a democratic state.

“Mobilize our rich Nigerian assets to address the insecurity situation across the country and seek international cooperation to ramp up security assets.

“Where the President fails to fulfill his constitutional duties as stated above, we demand he step aside or the National Assembly initiates impeachment proceedings against him on grounds of gross misconduct as provided for in Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We remain hopeful as citizens of Nigeria and call on all Nigerians to keep hope alive as we bond together and build a nation where true peace and justice reign,” the statement added.

This is coming a few days after the Nigerian Senate called on President Buhari to declare a state of emergency due to the rising cases of insecurity across the country.