Coalition of Civil Society Group (CCSG) on Tuesday, besieged the National Assembly to demand for the speedy passage of the 2017 budget.
They also condemned the incessant blackmail by some politicians against public office holders, saying this is capable of unsettling the polity.
The president of the group, Comrade Etuk Bassey Williams, stated this in Abuja in a mass protest to press home their demands.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions: “Please pass the 2017 budget; Civil Society support NASS; Nigerians pray for our leaders,” Nigerians shun blackmail; Blackmailers leave Senator Andy Uba alone.
Bassey opined that the incessant attacks on leadership and members of the 8th assembly was dragging the progress in the NASS.
He noted that that the assemble is strategic to the survival of democracy stressing further that the legislative arms of the government is the ultimate signature that gives credence to the existence of such.
“This institution deserves our collective protection as a people, if our nascent democracy must be protected from egocentric, overvaulting and greedy politicians.
To this endn he urged NASS members to ignore the constant barrage of media attack targeted at them and to remain focused in making laws that will help to protect and better the lives of Nigerians.
“The resolute stands of the NASS against several anti-masses policies is a testimony to the unwavering character of members that make up the eight National Assembly, which is worthy of commendation ,” he said.
He said it is an aberration when mischief, blackmail, misinformation and deceit become the order of the day in a sane society where truth, honesty and fairness ought to prevail.
“No nation thrives on baseless criticisms against her leaders and the incessant use of this approach by self-centered politicians who explore the ignorance of unsuspected Nigerians to sow the seed of deceit in order to discredit members of this institution is to say the least wicked.
“More worrisome is the fact that these clowns now question the relevance of the NASS by building a conversation around the integrity of its leadership and the cost of running the institution,” he lamented.
He therefore called on relevant security agencies to urgently stem the rising tide of blackmail against public office holders especially members of the national assembly.