Lawmaker appeals for US arms to fight Boko Haram

Ini Udoka, chairman, house of representatives committee on civil society and donor agencies, has urged the United States government to urgently supply arms to the Nigerian military to effectively fight Boko Haram.

The legislator made the appeal in Abuja on Monday during the signing of $9.2 million grant to 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria by the US Government.

His remarks came after Monday’s attack on a school in Potiskum, Yobe state, by Boko Haram, which resulted in the death of 47 people, with another 79 sustaining injuries..

Udoka expressed worries that James Entwistle, US ambassador to Nigeria, had been credited as saying that the US may be unable to sell arms to Nigeria due to “human rights abuses by the Nigerian military”.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the government of the United States to reconsider the stance on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria,” NAN quoted Udoka as saying.

“This morning, we received very sad news that many students of Comprehensive School in Potiskum have been slaughtered by a suicide bomber during the morning devotion.

“We know that the assistance of the US in combating insurgency in Nigeria would help us to a large extent to curb some of these atrocities.”

The lawmaker thanked the US government for the grant to civil society groups and challenged the grantees to live up to expectations.

He further advised civil society groups to avoid partisanship in their conduct and actions.

“My attention has been drawn to the fact that some consider advocacy for good governance to mean disparaging government and aligning with political opposition.

“Your ability to exercise independence of thought, conditioned by international best practices, should engage your advocacy to government personalities and institutions to ensure that expected reforms are undertaken in the country.”

Responding to Udoka, Entwistle said the report in some sections of the media was fabricated.

“The comments he (Udoka) was referring to was at a press conference I gave in Adamawa,” the US ambassador said.

“I didn’t say what was attributed to me; those comments came from an article in the Guardian newspaper, which was a complete fabrication.

“We have asked them to retract and they have not. We have put out op-ed in almost every newspaper explaining what I actually said, which I think the chairman (house committee on civil society) didn’t have time to read.

“We have made it clear that my government stands firmly with the Nigerian government in the fight against terror and in the fight against Boko Haram.”

Adding that Nigeria and the US had ‘a rich military and security relationship,’ the envoy reiterated US commitment to helping the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

On the grant, Entwistle challenged the recipients to partner with government at all levels to improve the rule of law, reduce corruption and strengthen health and education.

He urged CSOs in Nigeria to set the agenda and advocate issues that politicians need to address in their manifestos in the build up to the 2015 general election.

The US ambassador appealed to Nigerians to denounce violence before, during and after elections.

Citing the role civil societies played in ending apartheid in South Africa and abolition of slavery in the US, he underscored the key role of CSOs in ensuring political, economic and development success in Nigeria.

The grant to 15 Nigerian CSOs was awarded under the US Agency for International Development (USAID)’s “Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement Project”.

According to USAID, the grant will support the CSOs’ efforts to promote democratic reforms through greater transparency, accountability and good governance.

Some of the projects will focus on public finance management, local governance reform, youth empowerment and advocacy, among others.