Stakeholders under the aegis of Civil Society for Peace Security and Development (CSPSD) have rejected “attempts to push a Bill for an Act to provide a framework for the appointment of permanent staff of the National Security Adviser (NSA)” to enhance institutional memory and effective performance of the responsibilities of the office and other related matters.
Expressing their strong opposition to the Bill in a strongly worded, widely attended world press conference in Abuja, the Co-Convener of the Civil Society for Peace, Security and Development (CSPSD), Comrade Obadiah Solomon Ovye, accused “certain dark agents” of masterminding the unpopular Bill for their selfish intentions without recourse to its impact on national security.
The press text said, “You must have been aware of the plans, many of which are clandestine to impress, cajole, persuade, force and/or intimidate the National Assembly by some dark agents and forces to enact a strange law for the appointment of Staff of the Office of the National Security Adviser and retention of quality and skilled manpower to enhance institutional memory and effective performance of the responsibilities of the Office of the NSA.
“If successful, the NSA may, among others, appoint such number of staff as he deems necessary and expedient for the proper and efficient performance of the functions of the office under the National Security Act or any other law or instrument, centres or programmes established under the office; on such terms and conditions, including remuneration, allowances and benefits as may be determined, from time to time by the NSA. This is wrong and must be rejected roundly.”
The stakeholders also queried the real intent behind the Bill and raised pertinent questions; “why is an important Bill as the one seeking to expand the role for NSA not an Executive Bill? Why is it not emanating from the President? Why was such bill not tabled before the National Security and Defence Councils for their inputs before being taken to the National Assembly?
“Why was the public hearing for the bill earlier slated before the end of January, 2024 hurriedly brought back to 30th December, 2023 – a Saturday and without well-circulated information for the change in date?
“What has happened to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office (PS SSO) designed to administratively coordinate the intelligence community and by implication serve as the institutional memory for national security management? Why then does the NSA plan to operationalise his office with full compliments of permanent staff when such are already seconded by security agencies?”, the group queried.
The group warned that, if allowed, the Bill would give the NSA sweeping powers that would allow it to bypass existing checks and balances and operate with little oversight. It would also create a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a single individual and undermine the principles of democracy and accountability.
