By Haruna Salami
The Senate on Wednesday deferred open deliberation on the December 25 United States airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the issue did not amount to a breach of legislative privilege and should instead be addressed in a closed session.
Akpabio explained that matters bordering on national security are not typically discussed during open plenary sittings, adding that senators had earlier been informed that the operation was conducted with the knowledge, concurrence, and cooperation of Nigerian security agencies.
He assured lawmakers that arrangements would be made for a comprehensive closed-door briefing to fully explain the circumstances surrounding the airstrikes, stressing the importance of discretion in handling sensitive security issues.
“Security is not something we discuss in the open market,” Akpabio said, while commending the senator who raised the concern.
Following his ruling, the Senate resolved to step down the matter pending the closed session briefing.
The decision came after a Point of Order 9 was raised by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who alleged that the airstrikes amounted to a breach of Nigeria’s constitutional and legislative authority.
Invoking matters of privilege, Ningi argued that the powers of the National Assembly are derived from the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap 208, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, as well as the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He noted that legislative authority is vested in the National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the mandate to enact laws that promote peace, order, and good governance.
