The Nigerian senate was completely silent on the threat by rampaging terrorists to come for President Muhammadu Buhari, as lawmakers returned to plenary on Tuesday.
The terrorists who attacked and abducted train passengers on transit from Abuja to Kaduna on March 28, had in their latest video that has gone viral, identified the Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s armed forces and President, Buhari, the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and Senators as their next targets.
The same video showed the terrorists flogging the remaining and defenceless captives in their den, as they passed home the disturbing message, to shift their focus on Buhari and other top government functionaries, including senators.
Also Read: President Buhari to attend Liberia’s 175th Independence Anniversary
But surprisingly, the federal lawmakers in the Senate, who are directly on the deadly list of the terrorists, did not deem it necessary enough to mention or deliberate on the issue, even behind closed doors, in an executive session, as they returned to work on Tuesday.
Instead the lawmakers embarked on their routine legislative work, attending to three separate letters from President Buhari for various appointments, including the confirmation and approval of the appointments of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Others were requests for them to confirm and approve the re-appointments of 4 Non-Executive Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria as Board members of the apex bank, and the confirmation of Suleiman Afikpo, as Commissioner ( South-East ), National Hajj Commission.
An attempt in the House of Representatives to initiate the discussion was countered by the stronger voices, who were of the opinion that the handlers of Nigeria’s security should be allowed to do their job.
The silence of lawmakers in both chambers has left many on the edge, wondering if the lawmakers are exhibiting signs of being overwhelmed by the rising level of insecurity in the country.
The National Assembly had through several resolutions, drawn the attention of the executive arm of government, to the activities of bandits and terrorists in the country, forcing Buhari to overhaul his entire security architecture.
This was as lawmakers granted Buhari express approval for the purchase of military hardwares to boost Nigeria’s fight against insurgency and other criminal acts. All of which seem to have been to no avail, and now their reluctance to say a word, even as the threats inch closer to their door steps.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
