Some civil society groups on Thursday in Abuja staged protest to the National Assembly calling on lawmakers to stop what they called `loot of the nation’s resources.’
Recall that Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Ossai Ossai, yesterday said, suspended member, Abdulmumin Jibrin, could have been jailed for one year but that the House chose not to.
The groups, under the aegis of `Citizens Action To Take Back Nigeria,’ and a coalition of other groups, protested at the entrance of the National Assembly disrupting human and vehicular movement.
Some of the protesters carried placards with the inscription: “NASS leadership should step down,” “DSS should raid NASS” among several others.
Using the hashtag #TakeBackNigeria and #TakeBackNASS, the groups warned that they would sustain their protest until every legislator whose hand is soiled is exposed and tried.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the convener of the group, Ibrahim Garba-Wala, said the time had come for lawmakers to realise that politics is not a means of amassing wealth.
He pointed out that though the system is flawed, the change to rid Nigeria of corruption must start from somewhere.
He said: “it is time to tell our lawmakers that we voted them in make laws not to loot our resources.
“It is time to make them see that power belongs to us and we can wield it at any time.
“We demand accountability and transparency from our lawmakers.’’
Garba-Wala stated that some lawmakers were not qualified and lacked the basic qualities required in law making.
The convener said: “we have a flawed system, but change must start somewhere and it is starting today.
“This is going to be a sustained action; unless every member of the National Assembly who has stolen our money returns same to our treasury.
“Where criminal activities were aided and abated, they will be exposed and prosecuted because this campaign will not stop.
“We may be starting with the National Assembly today but we will reach every sector until we #TakeBackNigeria#.
“If you do not have what it takes to serve in public office, it is still early; ship out now before we get to you, or you may not survive the onslaught when it starts.” (NAN)
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