Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said the National Assembly cannot conduct a public probe of the military now due to ongoing security challenges across the country.
Akpabio said while legislative oversight remains a constitutional duty, subjecting the Armed Forces to a public legislative investigation at a time when troops are battling terrorism, banditry and other threats could undermine their morale and operational effectiveness.
He made the clarification in a statement on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, which also dismissed reports that he promised to secure senatorial tickets for lawmakers who lost their party primaries.
“The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that the President of the Senate has promised to secure senatorial tickets for senators who lost their party primaries,” the statement said.
“We must categorically assert that this report does not reflect the position of the President of the Senate. For the record, Senator Akpabio has neither made nor authorised to be made such promise,” it added.
Eyiboh explained that Akpabio only told his colleagues he sympathised with senators affected by the outcome of their party primaries and assured them that the All Progressives Congress, APC, leadership was working to address issues arising from the exercise.
He added that the Senate President merely informed lawmakers that the party would release its final list of candidates in accordance with its constitution and electoral guidelines.
The statement stressed that Akpabio remained committed to party discipline, due process, and the APC’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms.
“Senator Akpabio remains committed to party discipline, due process, and the internal mechanisms of the APC for resolving disputes. He will not interfere with the autonomous processes of the party or make commitments that are outside the purview of the National Assembly leadership,” it stated.
On security and legislative oversight, Eyiboh said the Senate President believes engagement with security agencies should be conducted in a manner that would not distract troops from ongoing operations.
“While legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio’s position is that this is not the opportune moment for a public probe of the Armed Forces.
“At a time when our troops are engaged on multiple fronts against terrorism, banditry and other threats to national security, subjecting the military to a public legislative inquisition could undermine their morale and operational focus,” the statement said.
“The Senate President believes strongly that support, collaboration and closed-door engagements with security agencies are more productive at this critical time. Oversight will be exercised responsibly, without creating distractions that embolden adversaries or divert attention from the urgent task of securing Nigeria and its people,” it added.
Akpabio urged journalists and members of the public to disregard what he described as sensational and inaccurate interpretations of his comments, and to seek clarification from his office whenever necessary before publication.
