CSOs want security votes scrapped

Some civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country have called for the proscription of security votes.

The CSOs, numbering about 11, described security votes as a pillage of the nation’s resources.

What are security votes?

They are funds that are disbursed to cover unforeseen security needs in the country. “Very often transacted in cash,” they are usually at the discretion of public officials, without being subject to independent audit.

A report released last year by Transparency International Defence and Security (TIDS) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) revealed that not less than $670 million is spent on security votes in Nigeria every year.

The organisations had said the funds are usually unaccounted for by leaders in the country.

Addressing a press conference on the state of the nation, in Abuja, the CSOs condemned the dramatic rise in security as well as continuous attacks on the media and other key stakeholders by state actors.

They said the nation’s security agencies and personnel should be better equipped to defend the nation and porous borders.

They also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reveal the findings of the presidential investigation panel established in 2017 to investigate allegations of non-compliance with human rights obligations and rules of engagement by the Nigerian military.

Among their other demands include:

• There should be adequate transparency in the procurement of military equipment as necessary.
• The electoral processes at the federal and sub-national level need to be free of political manipulation. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must exercise its independence and capacity to sanction breaches of the provisions of the National Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.
• We call on all political parties to strictly adhere to the rule of law and respect for press freedom and human rights in their political dealings as the nation courses towards general elections in February.
• We call on the military to desist from excessive show of force to intimidate civilians whenever it feels aggrieved. The laws of Nigeria have made adequate provisions for how such should be addressed and the military should not act outside of these laws.