By Christiana Ekpa
There was mild drama on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday following remarks by the Leader of the Northern Regional Caucus, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa calling for the shutdown of Parliament if the present administration fails to find lasting solution to the myriad o security challenges ravaging the country.
Hon. Ado-Doguwa while contributing to the debate during the special plenary session on the review of Nigeria’s national security situation and strengthening the legislative response to current and emerging threats, described the prevailing security situation as
He said: “Let me first of all, Mr. Speaker, identify as the same Honorable Ado Doguwa. Mr. Speaker, I am representing the people of Doguwa, Tudun wada, Federal Constituency. I am of APC extraction from Kano State. Mr. Speaker, I feel appropriate to mention my political identity in this very important discourse because I would not like anyone out there on the street or someone listening to me on the audio to mistake me for an opposition.
“I am not an opposition. I am a member of the APC, ruling APC in Nigeria. I am also a member by extension of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a member of this great Parliament also which has the APC as a dominant factor. Mr. Speaker, Honorable Member. I have to say so because I will be speaking here today as a member of the APC, not of particular concern, but with a particular concern. An APC member speaking with a particular concern, Mr. Speaker, and the concern today, as I understand, is about the security of lives and property of the Nigerian people.
“Mr. Speaker, I have heard briefs and submissions by the relevant Committee chairmen here. Mr. Speaker, I have heard briefs about the situation of Nigerian security architecture. Good. Mr. Speaker, I am not out to say no to their submissions.
“Of course, that is what they have to report to this House. But when you are speaking, Mr. Speaker, from the point of view of Nigerian people, one must be prepared to call a spade a spade.
“Mr. Speaker, I am therefore prepared to say that no matter what the government does, my government, led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC government my party and despite all the submissions of the efforts of all security agencies that were meant here through their respective chairmen, I want to say that yes the government is doing its best, the security agencies are doing their best, but I want to say with every sense of responsibility and without any fear of equivocation that their best is not good enough.
“It is not good enough because the security situation in Nigeria today Mr Speaker it is horrific. Mr. Speaker our security situation is tragedic; Mr Speaker, the security situation especially in the North where I come from is devastating. Mr Speaker our situation in Nigeria today in area of security is unspeakable. It’s unspeakable because our people are left ravaged in serious tension, fear and disparages. All because we are lacking and religion in our institutional and collective responsibility as a government. Mr Speaker the fact remains the same.
“I like every one of you here who say that the responsibility of every democratic or elected government even military governments, Mr. Speaker fundamental responsibility of government is the security of lives and property of its own people. Mr Speaker, what we have today is it’s like a failed security. What we have today in my opinion and in my views Mr Speaker is like for me to quote in the words of the popular Bob Marley in his own song in those days in the 80s when he was saying war in the North, war in the West, war in the East, and war down South.
“Mr. Speaker today, nigeria is operating under a complete war against humanity and this House must not only continue to chant slogans, move motions, take contributions from members. We must have to step out and rise up to the expectation of our own people and that expectation must be beyond making pronouncement from the floor. Mr. Speaker, we have to stake our institutional mandate, we have to stake our Institutional commitment and determination to protect the lives of the people.”
While noting that the State Governors are not only overwhelmed by the security challenges, Hon. Ado-Doguwa who doubles as Chairman House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), argued that the responsibility of security by the constitutional provisions, is “more of a sole responsibility to the Center.
“I agree with whoever may say, of course Governors in the sub-nationals are also accountable and they must be held responsible for the security of lives and properties of their people. Mr. Speaker, I want to say that in virtually all of our constituencies, given the opportunity, everyone here can rise to tell you the account of what is happening.
