WED, APRIL 25 2018-theG&BJournal-In a bid to strategize and perfect ways of not only defending the nation’s democracy at a time the system was gruesomely attacked by persons believed to be major stakeholders, the Senate on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 went into Executive Session that lasted almost three hours to deliberate on issues, trends and challenges affecting the Chamber, the National Assembly and the deepening of democratic governance.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who presided over the sitting on resumption of plenary session announced that the Chamber deliberated on issues bordering on the workings of the Senate and the National Assembly. He berated those behind the recent attack on the Chamber which left some Chamber Staff injured and hospitalized while the legislative symbol of authority was carted away and recovered the following day.
Consequently, the Upper Legislative Chamber commended the Senate Chamber Staff and other Support Staff for their gallantry by rising in defence of the legislature and the nation’s democracy. The Senate particularly commended the effort of the duo; Chucks and Sandra, both Sergeant at Arms’ Staff that sustained degrees of injuries during the attack who were hospitalized; the Chamber prayed for their speedy recovery.
Sen. Saraki called for the cooperation and understanding of Staff of the apex Parliament and the general public over the tightening of security within the National Assembly Complex to forestall future security breach. He added that the Committees on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence of both Chambers would engage the Sergeant at Arms and other Security Agencies in the National Assembly with a view to address security challenges.
Meanwhile, Sen. Kabiru Marafa rose under point of order 42 to report the killing of 31 persons in the Village Mabaro in Zamfara Central Senatorial of the State by suspected Armed Bandits. He added that 113 children have been made orphans and 64 women widows as a result of the attack.
Responding, the Senate President asserted that the attacks across the country are becoming unprecedented and government must act accordingly to tackle the menace. He said that the Chamber would engage the Heads of various Security Agencies on how best to address the Security Challenge across the country and deliberate on the matter. The Motion sailed through with a single resolution. A minute silence was observed in honour of the deceased.
While, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa representing Abia North Senatorial District came under point of 42 to report the killing of 61 persons in his Senatorial District. The matter has been referred to the next legislative date to be deliberated as a Motion.
