The Senate leadership on Thursday issued a caution to Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru over comments perceived to undermine the legislature’s role in national security matters.
The warning followed Badaru’s public dismissal of a Senate-organised two-day national security summit, which he argued would not meaningfully address the country’s security problems. Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja, the minister stated that superior military strategy, not summits, was what the country needed, emphasizing that operational directives should come from Defence Chiefs, not public forums.
Reacting during plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele expressed concern that such comments could damage the collaborative relationship between the National Assembly and the Presidency.
Akpabio noted that while disagreement is natural, publicly airing such views could inflame tensions and detract from efforts to improve security. “If the Ministry of Defence has any issue with any Senate resolution, it should not address it in the marketplace,” he said. “It should reach out to the Senate President or Senate elders.”
Akpabio also lauded the Senate for remaining focused on its legislative duties despite distractions.
Senate Leader Bamidele described the minister’s remarks as “demoralising,” adding that public dismissals of Senate initiatives could complicate efforts to work in harmony with the executive. He underscored the importance of summits as forums for gathering diverse input that could enhance policy strategy.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to deploy more security forces to Plateau State following fresh attacks in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas.
The call followed a motion of urgent public importance jointly sponsored by Representatives Ishaya Lalu and Daniel Ago. Lalu condemned the recent wave of violence in the state, citing high death tolls, widespread displacement, and destroyed livelihoods.
“These incidents represent a troubling pattern of violence in Plateau State that has persisted for years,” Lalu said. “The situation has resulted in a worsening humanitarian crisis.”
The House unanimously adopted the motion after a voice vote conducted by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In response, the lawmakers urged President Tinubu to send additional security personnel to halt the violence. They also called on the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons to provide relief materials and medical support, and to establish proper IDP camps.
Additionally, the House directed its Committees on National Security, Defence, and Police Affairs to investigate the root causes of the attacks and submit a report with recommendations within four weeks. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs was asked to draft a plan for rebuilding homes, schools, and health facilities destroyed in the affected areas.
