Senate Advances Tax Reform Bills, Calls for Modern Ranching to Address Farmers-Herders
Abuja — A heated exchange occurred in the Senate on Tuesday between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Abdul Ningi over how state governors utilize their monthly security votes amid escalating insecurity nationwide.
During a debate on a motion of urgent national importance addressing incessant banditry attacks in Gombe State, Senator Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) questioned why governors fail to address security challenges despite receiving significant security funds. He called on Senate President Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, to explain the situation.
Ningi remarked: “Every state government receives substantial security votes, yet insecurity persists. Why are governors not addressing these issues at their level instead of relying solely on the federal government?”
He emphasized that governors, as chief security officers of their states, are constitutionally responsible for safeguarding lives and property, noting that no governor receives less than ₦500 million monthly for security purposes.
Akpabio Defends Governors’ Role
Responding, Akpabio defended the use of security votes, asserting that many preventative security measures taken by governors often go unreported. He said: “When you become a governor, you’ll understand the intricacies of security votes. Many successful interventions by security agencies don’t make the headlines because bad news often overshadows good.”
Akpabio also stressed that maintaining security is a collective responsibility, urging Nigerians to actively participate in fostering peace and stability in their communities.
Senate Pushes for Modern Ranching
In a related development, the Senate urged the federal government to invest in modern ranching as a sustainable solution to ongoing clashes between farmers and herders. The proposal includes enacting laws to regulate economic activities under the ECOWAS treaty to ensure safety and productivity.
Call for Action in Gombe State
The Senate also directed security agencies to investigate recent bandit attacks in Gombe State, where several villages in Billiri Local Government Area were ravaged by armed assailants. The attacks, which occurred on December 11, left numerous residents dead, homes destroyed, and scores displaced.
The Upper Chamber called for the establishment of a joint police-military taskforce in the area to prevent further violence. Additionally, it urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide relief materials to affected victims.
Legislative Mandates
Committees on Police Affairs, National Security, and Legislative Compliance were tasked to ensure the implementation of these resolutions and propose long-term solutions to the insecurity plaguing the region.
Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro (PDP, Gombe South), who sponsored the motion, highlighted the urgent need for action. He condemned the attacks on villages, including Sansani, Kalindi, Powishi, and Lawushi Daji, where residents were killed, homes burned, and food supplies destroyed.
“The Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to life and freedom of movement,” Yaro stated. “These violent invasions not only violate those rights but also leave communities in despair and economic hardship.”
