The Senate has resolved to constitute an adhoc committee to organise a national security summit as part of efforts to stem the escalating security challenges in the country.
This followed a motion sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), and co-sponsored by Senators Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Nwebonyi Onyeka Peter (Ebonyi North) and Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) during plenary.
Presenting his motion, Senator Ibrahim said there was the need for alternative language to be deployed in military engagements as well as enhanced funding to advance the professional pracrice and tradition expected of the military.
He said, “No country will allow its citizens to understand security by living with insecurity, therefore, the ideology of peace for all as outlined in the executive policies of the renewed hope agenda should be upheld and promoted.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed worry that similar summits were held in the past, but that the outcome was never implemented.
Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), however said rather than convene a national security summit, the security chiefs should be interrogated by the Senate to step up their game.
Aliero who expressed worry over the continuous springing up of terror groups in the country said there is need to discuss with the security chiefs here in the chambers one on one. They should make more sacrifices for Nigeria.”
He also suggested the need for the adoption of non-kinetic approach in tackling insecurity, saying, “the federal, state and local governments should do something about the non-kinetic approach.”
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), however, submitted that the summit was necessary, stressing that failure to implement past recommendations shouldn’t be a reason not to organise a new summit.
A co-sponsor of the motion, Senator Zam, also urged the Senate to play its part and leave the rest to the executive arm, saying “I suggest we convene the security summit.”
On his part, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) warned that “If we keep doing same thing without achieving results, we are deceiving ourselves.”
He also stressed the need for the Senate to interface with security chiefs before the summit.
After an extensive debate on the motion, the senators approved the motion when put to voice vote by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio, thereafter, asked the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) to constitute an ad hoc committee that would play the ground work for the summit
