Sixty-eight civil society organisations have blamed the collapsed state of security nationwide on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The groups, in a jointly signed statement, said the government, under the leadership of Buhari, had failed to protect Nigerians as stipulated in Section 14 (2) b of the 1999 Constitution.
They said the President should be held solely responsible for the escalating state of insecurity in Nigeria as the buck stops on his desk.
The statement said: “As civil society organisations, we call on the President to take immediate steps to provide political and moral leadership for the security crisis and ensure governmental actions are humane in tandem with Section 17 (2) (C) of the Constitution.
“The Nigeria Police Council (NPC), established by Section 153 of the Constitution, is empowered to administer, organise and supervise the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The NPC should be called to meet regularly to address the crisis of insecurity.”
The groups also urged the President to end impunity for abuse of power and sectionalism through appointments by balancing the need for competence with the Federal Character principle, stressing: “In this way, President Buhari will demonstrate that every part of Nigeria matters as sectional appointment appears to fuel sectional violence.
“Amnesty for terrorists and abductors should stop. Huge ransom paid to criminal gangs is used to purchase arms and ammunition to attack communities. As security is technology-driven, the Federal Government must acquire the necessary equipment to deal with the menace of terrorism, banditry and abduction.
“Buhari should take responsibility and end the persecution of the media and free speech both of which are foundations of a democratic state. Mobilise rich Nigerian assets to address the insecurity situation across the country and seek international co-operation to ramp up security assets.
“Where the President fails to fulfill his constitutional duties as stated above, we demand he steps aside or the National Assembly initiates impeachment proceedings against him.”
The groups said they remained hopeful as citizens of Nigeria and urged all Nigerians to keep hope alive.They also faulted the current centralised security system.
Some of the groups that signed the document include Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), among others.