Insecurity: Senator Ningi calls for suspension of political activities

Senator Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi State has called for the temporary suspension of political activities in states grappling with persistent terrorist attacks, warning that the escalating insecurity poses a threat to all Nigerians.

Speaking during plenary on Wednesday, Ningi stressed that the worsening attacks on security personnel and communities require urgent and collective action beyond the executive arm of government.

“This is not a political matter, this affects all of us,” he said.

“And two things, Mr President, if you see the trends of attacks against our armed forces, it has shifted, targeting the very best of our military personnel and other security threats, and more often in the North,”he stated.

“The trend has shifted from just attacking anybody. And we think actions have been taken, and I say actions have not been taken,” Ningi stated.

The lawmaker emphasised that addressing insecurity should not be left solely to the President and Commander-in-Chief, but must involve the legislature, particularly the Senate.

“This is not just the work of the President or Commander-in-Chief. Mr President, this is our responsibility. The National Assembly and the Senate in particular must call all those that are involved whether or not sufficient ammunitions have been provided, whether or not sufficient funds have been provided,” he said.

“Mr President, we cannot continue to think because we are in Abuja it does not affect us. It affects us,” he said.

Ningi proposed drastic measures, including halting political activities in affected regions until security improves.

“One of the things we must do is either to suspend all political activities across this country, or look at the frontline states of Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Sokoto, Kebbi, and parts of Kano suspend all political activities until we are sufficiently certain that these security issues are fixed,” he added.

This call comes amid the growing and tragic incidents of insecurity and attacks mainly in the northern parts of Nigeria targeting innocent civilians and military personnels.