A group, Coalition of Igbo Progressive Youths Worldwide (CIPYW), has praised Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for spearheading the Armed Forces Commission Bill, which was stepped down.
It said the Abia South senator deserved commendation for his courage and patriotic disposition.
According to the youths, the bill, which is coming in the face of worsening insecurity across the country, deserves all the support for its eventual passage into law.
The youths urged him to subject the Bill to more legislative work and consultations with a view to returning it to the Red Chambers for possible passage.
In a statement by the National President and National Secretary, Dr Chijioke Uba and Mrs Ngozi Anosike respectively, the youths warned against further frustration of the Bill, which it argued, will cure the imbalance that has characterised the nation’s security arrangement.
While calling on stakeholders in the security sector, including non-governmental and Civil Society Organizations, religious groups as well as security experts to rally behind what they described as a “fine piece of legislative intervention”, the Coalition vowed to expose the motive of those opposing it.
The group claimed with the creation of an Armed Forces Commission, the Federal Character Principle, which stipulates balancing in sensitive appointments such as Service Chiefs, will be strictly adhered to.
The Igbo youth group further tasked President Muhammadu Buhari on the urgent need to review the “lopsided” appointment of Service Chiefs, which saw the non-consideration of officers from the Southeast; a trend they said has continued since 2015.
They also noted while prominent Igbo sons and daughters have continued to denounce the outlawed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Federal Government has not demonstrated sufficient good faith, as a sign of reciprocation.
“As progressive youths, we cannot but commend a true son of Igbo and top-ranking Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, for being a prominent voice on.
“We note with particular attention the proposed bill seeking to establish the Armed Forces Commission, which hopes bring discipline to bear in the management of security affairs,” the statement noted.
They recommended Abaribe, who was Abia Deputy Governor between 1999 and 2002, for a National Award in recognition of his patriotic disposition and commitment to a united Nigeria.
Credit: The Nation