By Uzair Adam
The Senate has begun legislative proceedings on a petition alleging the inclusion of non-indigenes as Bauchi indigenes in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) basic military training recruitment.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, presented a petition written by Governor Bala Mohammed, expressing concern over what he described as a deliberate misrepresentation in the recruitment process.
“This is to bring to the attention of the Senate a matter of grave concern on the inclusion of non-indigenes as indigenes of Bauchi State in the Nigerian Air Force basic military training course,” Mohammed stated in the petition.
He added, “It is imperative, Mr. President, to note that the interests of Bauchi State have been so shortchanged, so marginalised.”
After the petition was read, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as well as the Committee on Air Force, for a thorough investigation.
“The petition will be argued at the committee’s level,” Akpabio said, directing the committees to report back to the Senate within seven days.