Deal With Boko Haram, Senate Tells Jonathan

Rising after a lengthy deliberation on a motion condemning the bomb explosions in Kaduna and other parts of the country, the Nigerian Senate has called on the federal government to use all available arsenals within its reach to combat the Boko Haram menace in its entirety.

The upper chamber which observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the Kaduna bombing on Easter Sunday, further mandated its committees on National Security Intelligence, Defence and Army, Police Affairs and Interior to intensify their oversight functions over the security challenges with a view to improving their capabilities in handling the nation’s security challenges and submit their interim report as soon as possible.

Leading the debate on the motion which was co-sponsored by ten others, Senator Mohammed Saleh noted that the deadly explosion carried out in Kaduna on Easter Sunday was a stark reminder of the Christmas Day bombing which left many people dead in Madalla, Niger State.

Senator Saleh also lamented the spate of terrorist attacks nationwide despite assurances by the nation’s security agencies that they are on top of the situation.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi noted with disgust that Nigerians are beginning to make a mockery of the resolutions reached by the senate following previous debates of similar motions without effective implementation by the executive.

Senator Adetumbi also questioned the powers of the upper legislative chamber to take concrete steps and respond to the yearnings of Nigerians who have continually complained that killings are getting out of hand.

Senator Gyang Dantong who lamented that the current spate of attacks in northern Nigeria is on the verge of breaking up the nation, however, noted that if the victims of Kaduna bombings are to be compensated, then it will be in good faith to also compensate all victims of bomb blasts in the country.

In his ruling, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu noted that national security should be top most on government agenda, adding that if not critically tackled, it could result in anarchy.

Senator Ekweremadu called on northern governors to be fully engaged in the fight against the spate of bombings and fashion out ways to stem the tide.

In another development, the upper legislative chamber restated its readiness to conclude the constitutional amendment in July of this year.

Senator Ekweremadu who also doubles as the chairman of the committee saddled with the review of the nation’s constitution said lack of adequate logistics was responsible for the delay in the commencement of the process.

He however assured Nigerians that the review will be in the best interest of Nigerians in order to improve democracy.

Senator Ekweremadu pointed out that its House of Representatives’ counterparts may work together to articulate burning issues to strengthen the unity of the nation.

The constitution was first reviewed by the National Assembly in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Senate has mandated its foreign affairs committee to look into the confirmation of Dr Saleh Okenwa as a member of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.

The confirmation of the nominee is at the request of President Goodluck Jonathan in accordance with section 3 sub-section 2 of the NAHCON Act of 2006.

The Senator Matthew Nwagu-led committee is expected to submit its recommendations to the leadership of the Senate in one week.

Also, the Senate during Wednesday’s plenary received the report of the committee on federal character and inter-governmental affairs on the screening of Barrister Diogu Romanus from Imo State, as a member of the federal character commission.

The report was laid by the Chairman of the committee, Senator Dahiru Kuta.

By Desmond Utomwen/Abuja