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By Sunday Ani
Coalition of civil society groups against terrorism in Nigeria has faulted the allegation by the former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, against the former service chiefs over the diversion of security funds into building universities in their respective communities.
A statement by its convener, Oladimeji Odeyemi, described the allegations as unfortunate. He said as a former governor, he should, at least, have some basic knowledge of the workings and operations of the Armed Forces.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Oshiomhole had queried the necessity of the legislative body to provide more money to the Armed Forces, demanding that what they were using the money for should be guided jealously.
He accused the previous service chiefs of not being interested in well-trained officers and men, but only involved in building mushroom educational institutions that have no relevance to competent and well-equipped Armed Forces.
But the group said he spoke out of ignorance. “Ordinarily, we should not have dignified Senator Oshiomhole with a response. But, we have to respond to him for two reasons. Number one is his position as a former governor and serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“If we allow the allegation to slide, the Nigerian masses will take it to be true, coming from a former president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), a former governor and now a serving senator.
“It behooves our imagination that such a highly-placed public figure can descend so low to make such a spurious and unsubstantiated allegation against the Armed Forces and former Service Chiefs.
“However, occupying a high position does not necessarily translate to having deep knowledge and education on issues of public concern.
“It is in this wise and out of deep concern for national security that we deemed it fit to educate him on his outbursts against the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“How far did he go to get better information about the procurement process in the Armed Forces? What does he know about the process?
“Does the former governor know that no single military officer, no matter his/her position can single-handedly decide to build any institution, be it primary, secondary or tertiary?
“He described military universities built by the Armed Forces as mushroom institutions. How much of the academic curriculum of these institutions is Oshiomhole aware of?
“We know that he rode to prominence and high public offices on the back of words and rhetoric. However, he should know when to stop playing to the gallery. Issues that have to do with the Armed Forces anywhere in the world are sensitive and Nigeria is not an exception.
“Oshiomhole is in a vantage position to ask about the spending of security funds by the Armed Forces. He just needs to visit the Defence or other Services Headquarters for more information on military operations, the kinetic and non-kinetic military strategies, or better still, attend lectures, symposiums and seminars at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, all in Abuja.
“Taking to the floor of the Senate to appeal to emotions on such a sensitive issue is a threat to national security and this is very worrisome. It is more unfortunate that he could describe the military universities as mushroom educational institutions. Maybe he spoke out of the limitations of his access to formal education, or perhaps, he spoke under the influence of some strong substances.”
