Federal lawmakers in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday boldly questioned President Muhammadu Buhari’s legitimacy as Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces if he cannot marshall the country’s security outfit to protect the people.
The Vote of No -Confidence on Buhari’s ability to secure Nigeria came in the wake of Saturday’s brutal massacre of 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari District of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
More of the anger surprisingly came from die-hard Pro-Buhari lawmakers from the core North of Nigeria.
Senator Kashim Shettima (APC Borno Central) fired the first salvo in a motion calling for an urgent decisive action against Boko Haram; pointing out that
the primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives and property of citizens.
Shettima lamented the rice farm massacre; especially information that the killings took place not too far away from where Nigerian security agencies were stationed.
“Disheartened that more than 67 citizens were beheaded while they were working in their farmland without any form of resistance or challenge from the security stationed a few kilometre away.
According to him, any government that has failed in this regard is unworthy of the people’s legitimacy.
“Protecting the lives and property of citizens is the primary obligation of government and any government that cannot discharge this basic obligation losses any iota of legitimacy”.
The next push asking Buhari to act came from the lawmaker who represents him, Ahmad Baba Kaita from Katsina State.
Kaita said while Buhari may have done his best; his efforts have not been good enough to keep Nigeria secured.
This was as he called for the probe of Nigeria’s military spendings which according to the lawmaker have come with almost nothing to show for it
“The moment of truth has come. It is no longer acceptable to every Nigerian, we cannot accept the explanation coming from military”.
“We have to sit and re-access the situation. Day in day out the same scenario continues to play out. If we allow this to go on, let’s be ready for another mourning. I believe the President is doing his best but the best is not good enough.”
Quoting sections of the Nigerian Constitution; Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South also noted that the sole responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its citizens; stressing that any serious government should be able to quell Boko Haram in less than six months.
This was after Ndume painted the pitiable conditions of Nigerian soldiers at war; narrating how they share guns and how Boko Haram has seized virtually everywhere in Borno and having the audacity to set up roadblocks and collect harvest fees and levies from farmers.
He called for a review of the current security architecture and a timeline for the service chiefs to deliver or get fired.
Senator Adamu Aliero from Kebbi State shared in the sentiment when he said the Service Chiefs have outlived their usefulness.
The disappointment was however not limited to lawmakers from the North.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti Central and Senator George Thompson Sekibo from Rivers State added their voice to the growing calls asking Buhari to act.
Speaking, the President of the Senate; Ahmad Lawan said the massacre of the rice farmers should be the turning point for Nigeria to overhaul its security architecture.
Also Read: Senate president condemns killing of Borno farmers
The massacre in Borno came barely a week after the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar lamented the spate of killings in the North; describing it as the worst place to live in, in Nigeria.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
