Senate sets up 20-member planning committee ahead of Security summit
By Ndukaku Ihe
The Nigerian Senate, Thursday, set up a 20-member committee to organise its planned two-day national security summit.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who announced the committee’s formation during plenary, said it will be chaired by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, with Yahaya Abdullahi serving as the vice chairman.
Other members include Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Adebule Idiat (Lagos), Barinada Mpigi (Rivers), Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), Osita Ngwu (Enugu), Tahir Monguno (Borno), Titus Zam (Benue), Ahmed Lawan (Yobe), Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Austin Akobundu (Abia) and Shehu Buba (Bauchi). Others are Ahmed Madori (Jigawa), Emmanuel Udende (Benue), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Shuaib Salisu (Ogun), Isah Jibrin (Kogi), and the Clerk of the Senate, Andrew Nwoba.
The committee is tasked with developing the summit’s framework, including setting the agenda, identifying core issues for discussion, and recommending actionable strategies to improve national security. Akpabio directed the committee to submit its report within two weeks.
The decision to convene the summit followed a resolution passed on May 6 after a motion sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim to address escalating security challenges in the country was adopted. It is expected to address pressing issues such as terrorism, insurgency, and the alarming trend of leaking military intelligence to militant groups, an issue widely seen as compromising ongoing security operations.
This is not the first time the National Assembly would attempt to address security concerns through a summit. In May 2021, the 9th Assembly, under the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, organised a similar summit. Despite contributions from security experts, civil societies, and government agencies, insecurity has continued to plague the country.
