Ohanaeze rejects abaribes armed forces bill warns nass on implications

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Rejects Abaribe's Armed Forces Bill, Warns NASS on Implications

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, has rejected the Armed Forces Bill sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, warning the National Assembly (NASS) of the far-reaching implications of the proposed legislation.

In a statement issued by the organization's Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed deep concern over the bill, which it claimed would undermine the country's federal structure and compromise the security of the nation.

The organization argued that the bill, if passed, would give the President too much power to deploy the military in any part of the country without the consent of the National Assembly, thereby eroding the checks and balances in the system.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo also accused Senator Abaribe of being insensitive to the plight of the Igbo people, who have been victims of military brutality and human rights abuses in the past.

The organization warned NASS that the passage of the bill would have serious consequences for the country's unity and stability, and urged lawmakers to reject the legislation in its entirety.

Here is the full text of the statement:

FULL STATEMENT

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has rejected the Armed Forces Bill sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, warning the National Assembly (NASS) of the far-reaching implications of the proposed legislation.

The organization expressed deep concern over the bill, which it claimed would undermine the country's federal structure and compromise the security of the nation. Ohanaeze Ndigbo argued that the bill, if passed, would give the President too much power to deploy the military in any part of the country without the consent of the National Assembly, thereby eroding the checks and balances in the system.

The organization also accused Senator Abaribe of being insensitive to the plight of the Igbo people, who have been victims of military brutality and human rights abuses in the past. Ohanaeze Ndigbo warned NASS that the passage of the bill would have serious consequences for the country's unity and stability, and urged lawmakers to reject the legislation in its entirety.

"We are shocked and dismayed by the introduction of this bill, which is a clear attempt to undermine the country's federal structure and compromise the security of the nation," the organization said in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

"We urge NASS to reject this bill in its entirety and instead focus on legislation that promotes national unity, stability, and the well-being of all Nigerians," the statement added.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo also called on Senator Abaribe to withdraw the bill and engage in a more constructive dialogue with the Igbo people and other stakeholders to address the issues that led to the introduction of the bill.

"We hope that Senator Abaribe will take our concerns seriously and withdraw the bill to avoid any further damage to the country's unity and stability," the organization said.

END