Civil Society Groups Defend National Assembly Reforms Amid Criticism

1. Civil society organizations defend National Assembly management, caution against false allegations and extortion attempts by entities posing as CSOs
2. Chairperson Adams Otakwu highlights improvements since Sani Magaji Tambuwal became Clerk, pledges CSOs’ commitment to investigate alleged infractions responsibly

Amidst ongoing reforms in the National Assembly, various civil society organizations (CSOs) have stepped forward to address critics targeting the institution’s management.

These groups assert that while an investigation into the National Assembly’s management, led by Sani Magaji Tambuwal, is not out of the question, certain individuals and entities disguising themselves as civil society actors to slander and extort public officials are casting a negative light on the civil society and jeopardizing national security.

Comrade Adams Otakwu, Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Societies and Coordinator of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO), issued a statement emphasizing that some purported civil society groups are attempting to distract the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) through baseless allegations, thereby hindering the performance of his duties.

According to Otakwu, significant strides have been made in staff welfare and communication within the National Assembly bureaucracy since Sani Magaji Tambuwal assumed office as the CNA in November 2022 and was subsequently confirmed in March of the following year.

“It is a fact that since Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal’s emergence as the CNA in November 2022 and his eventual confirmation in March this year, there have been marked improvements in staff welfare and communication with top management within the National Assembly bureaucracy,” he stated.

The CSOs have also expressed their commitment to investigate recent media reports alleging official infractions against the Clerk to the National Assembly. Otakwu specified that the investigation would involve collaboration with the security and intelligence community.

In particular, some online publications claimed that the CNA forwarded a false Real Estate Regulatory Council Bill of Nigeria ACT 2023 to President Bola Tinubu, which was subsequently rejected.

Otakwu cautioned media practitioners against becoming pawns in a political chess game orchestrated by those who faced defeat in any National Assembly management leadership contest. The call for responsible journalism and a fair assessment of the ongoing reforms remains at the forefront of the CSOs’ message.