Senate Suspends Debate On US Airstrikes Citing Security Concerns

Spread the love

The Nigerian Senate has halted public discussion on the United States airstrikes conducted on December 25 against suspected terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State.

According to Gossip News Now , the decision came during Wednesday’s plenary after Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the matter should be addressed privately due to national security considerations.

Akpabio explained that sensitive issues involving the country’s safety are not normally debated in an open session. He emphasised that the Senate’s constitutional rights had not been undermined, noting that lawmakers had been previously informed the operation was carried out with the knowledge and cooperation of Nigerian security agencies.

“Matters of national security require discretion and should not be discussed openly,” Akpabio said, praising the senator who raised the issue and assuring members that a full briefing would take place behind closed doors.

He added that the private session would help clarify doubts about the airstrikes and respond to questions raised by senators, urging colleagues to remain calm and refrain from making public statements that could compromise security.

Following his ruling, all further debate on the airstrikes was suspended until the closed-door meeting is held.

The development followed a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, who raised concerns under Order 9. Ningi argued that the reported airstrikes violated Nigeria’s constitutional authority.

He stated that the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and the 1999 Constitution clearly assign lawmaking responsibilities to the Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure governance, peace, and order.

Ningi expressed concern that allowing the US military to conduct operations within Nigeria without proper legislative engagement infringed on the nation’s sovereignty and contravened international law.

He further noted that, while the President serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, even the executive cannot lawfully permit a foreign force to operate on Nigerian soil without legislative oversight and coordination with local security agencies.

Ningi warned that excluding lawmakers from such decisions could weaken Nigeria’s sovereignty and create potential constitutional challenges in the future.

__________________________________________