SP Lawan Condoles with Channels TV, Police on Loss
The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has expressed profound sadness over the avoidable loss of lives in the violent clash of members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria with security agents deployed to maintain law and order in Abuja on Monday July 22, 2019.
Senator Lawan expresses his condolences to the management of Channels Television on the tragic death of their reporter, Precious Owolabi, in the incident.
The President of the Senate says it is tragic that a brilliant life and professional prospect was abruptly cut short in a manner that diminishes us as citizens of a democratic nation.
Lawan extends his condolences to the family of Mr Owolabi, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the painful loss of their son, member and colleague.
He also sends his condolences to the family of Usman Umar and the Nigeria Police over the death of their son and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) during the incident.
Lawan sympathises with the families of other victims of the tragic incident.
The President of the Senate strongly condemns the habitual resort to violence by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria under the guise of the exercise of their rights to freedom of association and expression.
Senator Lawan also deplores the excessive use of force by the security agents on the protesters.
He calls on the security agencies to evolve a new approach for peaceful enforcement of law and order, even in the face of provocations.
Finally, the President of the Senate urges the Federal Government to find a speedy resolution to the agitation by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, within the context of the rule of law and national peace and security. All lawful options need to be considered towards avoiding carnage from needless confrontations of citizens with the security forces.
Signed.
Ola Awoniyi.
Special Adviser on Media
to the President of the Senate.
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We Will Be Guided By National Interest— Senate President
Senate President, Ahmed Lawan on Monday said Senators would be guided by national rather than personal interest in discharging their responsibilities.
The Senate President stated this when he played host to chairmen of state chapters of the All Progressive Congress(APC).
“This Senate will subsume any individual interest for our collective interest,” said a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Isa, quoting Lawan.
Lawan said the senate would focus on issues that would enhance better security environment, better power supply and an economy that will provide job opportunities for youths.
“These are things that will continue to unite us. It is when we are able to tackle those issues in the collective interest of Nigeria particularly, that we are able to enjoy the privileges that we have,” the Senate President said.
The APC senators, he said, are committed to the success of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, adding, “we will ensure we work seamlessly with President Muhammed Buhari and the party.
“We have been elected to represent the Nigerian people. Mr. President was overwhelmingly elected. We will have no difficulty in working with Mr. President.
He called for a dispute resolution mechanism in the APC to amicably resolve any issue that might arise within the party.
“From my experience in 2019 elections or the process leading to the elections, we need to have a better dispute resolution mechanism,” the Senate President told his guests.
Lawan said the APC needs to have such dispute resolution mechanism because the party could not afford to have any of its chapter in disarray.
Lawan said APC should be disposed to ensuring that all chapters of the party are able to contribute to national development.
“So I will advocate for a dispute resolution mechanism that will ensure that our party is able to deal with issues as they emerge.
“Of course, naturally, we may have disagreement from time to time but what is important and crucial will be how we are able to tackle the disagreement and come back to agree and move forward,” Lawan said.
He expressed gratitude to the PDP Senators for their overwhelming support, and reiterated his commitment to lead a bipartisan legislature.
According to Lawan, “we are happy we have the support of our colleagues from the opposition parties. They have demonstrated their commitment to work with us.
“We too have also resolved to work with them in the interest of our country and for Mr. President and our party to succeed in taking us to the next level”.
He thanked the states chairmen of the APC for their role in the victory of the party in 2019 general election.
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the Forum, who is also the Borno state APC chairman, Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori advised the APC senators to ensure smooth working relationship with the executive.
Mohammed Isa
Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Publicity
