By OBSERVERS TIMES.
In a determined effort to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, the Senate on Thursday constituted a 20-member committee tasked with organizing a national security summit. The announcement, made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, followed a unanimous voice vote in support of the initiative.
The newly formed committee will be spearheaded by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), who will serve as chairman. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) has been appointed as the vice chairman.
The committee comprises a diverse group of senators representing various states and senatorial districts, including Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Adebule Idiat (Lagos), Barinada Mpigi (Rivers), Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), Osita Ngwu (Enugu), Tahir Monguno (Borno), Titus Zam (Benue), Ahmad Lawan (Yobe), Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Austin Akobundu (Abia), Shehu Buba (Bauchi), Ahmed Madori (Jigawa), Emmanuel Udende (Benue), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Shuaib Salisu (Ogun), and Isah Jibrin (Kogi). The Clerk of the Senate, Andrew Nwoba, will also serve on the committee.
The primary mandate of this high-powered committee is to develop a comprehensive framework for the proposed national summit. This includes setting a clear agenda, identifying crucial discussion points, and formulating actionable strategies aimed at effectively addressing the multifaceted security issues plaguing the nation.
Senate President Akpabio has charged the committee with a tight deadline, directing them to submit their report within the next two weeks.
This move by the Senate follows a resolution on May 6th, where the upper chamber agreed to convene a two-day national security summit. The aim of the summit is to proffer concrete solutions to the escalating challenges of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other security threats across the country. The motion for the summit was sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South).
A key area of focus for the upcoming summit is the alleged leakage of sensitive military information to militant groups. This issue is widely believed to be significantly hindering ongoing security operations and will likely be a central point of discussion.
While this initiative signals a renewed commitment by the National Assembly to tackle insecurity, it is noteworthy that this is not the first time such a summit has been considered. The 9th National Assembly, under the leadership of former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, organized a similar summit in May 2021. Despite the participation of various stakeholders, including security experts and civil society organizations, the nation’s security challenges have persisted.
The current 10th Senate has also engaged with security matters extensively, summoning service chiefs and heads of security agencies on multiple occasions since its inauguration in 2023. Numerous debates on security have also taken place within both chambers of the National Assembly. However, the issues of kidnapping, insurgency, and banditry continue to be major concerns for Nigerian citizens, many of whom express growing frustration over the apparent lack of tangible progress.
The composition and swift mandate given to this new committee suggest a renewed urgency and focus from the Senate in finding effective solutions to the nation’s security crisis. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the framework and potential impact of this proposed national summit.
