Worried by the spate of killings and bomb attacks in the country especially in the North, the National Assembly yesterday invited President Goodluck Jonathan to a closed door session. Also summoned by the lawmakers are the security chiefs. Senate has also scheduled a week-long retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State that will deliberate on national security and how to secure democracy for future development.
Expected at the Uyo retreat are President Goodluck Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Also expected at the retreat are former Senate President Ken Nnamani and Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah. President Jonathan is expected to deliver an opening address at the retreat. The theme of the retreat is: The National Assembly and National Security, Securing the Future for Development.
They did not however, state a specific date President Jonathan and his security chiefs should appear before the House. It is the first time since the restoration of democracy in 1999 the House would invite the President over poor security situation or on any issue. The legislators at the resumption of a plenary yesterday after a two week recess said the nation is under seige. They lamented that President Jonathan proceeded on the trip to Brazil for the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio+20) when according to them, Nigeria was “on fire” The Lower House invitation also extended to Jonathan’s security advisers as well as sweeping summons to Nigeria’s security chiefs.
Moving the motion for President’s invitation Hon Yakubu Barde (Kaduna/PDP) under matters of urgent national importance raised the alarm over what he called the worsening insecurity in Kaduna State.
Daily Sun recalls that last Sunday, multiple blasts hit at least three churches in Zaria and Kaduna town. The bomb blasts were followed by a reprisal attacks. The death figure is put at 70. Monday the gun men engaged security men in gun duel near Yobe Government House. Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility for the Kaduna blasts. State rescue officials reported many deaths and injuries among surviving persons.
Barde’s motion had sought a resolution condemning the attacks and urging the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to affected and displaced persons in Kaduna State. It was however amended to include Jonathan’s summon along with his advisers and Nigeria’s security chiefs.
Giving more flesh to the motion Minority Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos/ACN) first made the amendments that the President should be invited. The amendment which was put to voice vote was unanimously adopted by members.
He argued “the security situation has infringed on the fundamental rights of Nigerians to religion, peaceful assembly, freedom of movement and right to life..” Explaining that the House possessed the power to invite the President the Minority Leader contended that the Lower House oversight powers over the executive arm of government can be extended to the office of the President as Nigeria’s Chief Security Officer.
Gbajabiamila clarified “We are not castigating him (referring to Jonathan) but let us exchange ideas” ”the last line of the president’s oath of office states that I will devote myself to the service and well being of the people of Nigeria.”
Faulting President Jonathan’s trip to Brazil the lawmaker said, “I am taken aback that at a time when the country is under siege Mr President has travelled to far away Brazil” One after another the legislators lambasted the executive on its inability to contain the insecurity affecting parts of northern Nigeria.
Jerry Manwa (Taraba, PDP) asked “Is Mr President scared? Is the Inspector General of Police scared? Are there some people that cannot be arrested?” He continued “If Mr. President knows who is behind Boko Haram, he should go after them, otherwise, nobody should come and tell us that they are on top of the situation.”
”in this year’s Appropriation we appropriated N1trillion to security so what are they securing and is the money meant to buy only AK47 rifles alone or bomb detectors in Aso Villa or NASS, he asked. “Government had said they know the people behind the attacks why is it that they have not been arresting these people.”
Similarly, Jumoke Okoya (Lagos/ACN) urged the Lower House to issue marching orders on Jonathan to contain the worsening insecurity. She said, “If Mr President knows that he cannot handle the situation, he should step down.”
Making his own contribution Hon Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti/ACN) however called for a Sovereign National Conference which he said will discuss Nigeria’s coexistence and revenue sharing formula. Another lawmaker Emmanuel Jime (Benue/PDP) argued that “calculations regarding 2015 is also at play” he did not elaborate on that.
Move by Ben Nwankwo representing Orumba North /South to invite the president to address a joint session of both chambers was rejected by members.