The Senate has said a substantial part of its emergency session will be devoted to deliberations on the worsening security situation across the country.
The Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed this on Sunday, saying lawmakers would consider measures needed to support efforts to curb kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes.
Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South Senatorial District, said the session would provide senators an opportunity to assess the state of the nation and explore how the National Assembly could work with the Executive to address rising security challenges.
According to him, the Senate considers it necessary to reconvene and deliberate on the increasing cases of kidnapping and terrorist activities across the country.
“It is necessary to discuss the state of the nation as a priority and how the National Assembly will help and cooperate with the Executive in order to stamp out the increasing incidents of kidnapping and terrorist activities in Nigeria,” he told The Nation.
“It will also lead to discussions on the issue of state police and other measures that can be put in place temporarily before the issue of state police goes through the constitutional process.”
Adaramodu explained that senators would be allowed to contribute to the debate based on developments in their constituencies and senatorial districts.
“Senators will be allowed to debate based on their experiences in their various constituencies and senatorial districts and the general perception of the Nigerian public,” he said.
“We will first discuss those issues. After discussing them, we will know the areas we need to focus on.”
The Senate spokesman dismissed speculations that the emergency recall was linked to any individual senator or internal controversy in the chamber.
He said the decision to reconvene was not driven by the leadership alone but reflected the collective resolve of lawmakers to address urgent national concerns.
“It is not a personal thing and it is not even the leadership of the Senate that is calling for this. It is all of us who feel that it is imperative that we come together and discuss these issues,” he said.
On whether the session was specifically convened to discuss the proposed creation of state police, Adaramodu said the focus would be broader.
“The session is to discuss security and other matters affecting the Nigerian public. Not particularly state police. When we say security, we all know that the police are part of it,” he said.
