Akpabio Dissolves Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Air Force
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday removed Senator Umar Buba and Senator Godiya Akwashiki as chairmen of the Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence, and Air Force, respectively, citing their failure to carry out effective oversight amid the worsening insecurity across the country.
Mr Akpabio also announced the immediate dissolution of both committees.
Senator Buba of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Bauchi South, and Senator Akwashiki of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), representing Nasarawa North, were sacked following a complaint raised by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
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Mr Bamidele told the chamber that the committees had failed to provide timely and relevant intelligence reports despite escalating cases of kidnapping, banditry and other security threats. He stressed that the committees, especially the National Security and Intelligence Committee, should be more proactive in responding to motions and concerns raised by senators on national security.
“As a senator and principal officer, I am not impressed with the performance of the Committee on Security and Intelligence. Some of the motions and concerns raised by our colleagues are issues that the committee should have been on top of,” he said.
The Senate Leader noted that before the legislature demands a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security architecture from the executive arm, the Senate must first strengthen its own internal oversight mechanisms.
Mr Akpabio subsequently subjected the motion to a voice vote, and the majority of senators supported the dissolution of the committees. He assured that the affected committees would be reconstituted within a week.
Sources within the Senate revealed that Mr Buba had largely withdrawn from public engagement on security matters and had not participated actively in national security deliberations for an extended period. Senator Akwashiki, on the other hand, has reportedly been absent from Senate activities due to health-related concerns.
By PRNigeria
