•Benue mayhem and Senate
The Senate has expressed deep concern over the recent wave of killings in Benue State, stating that the legislature is fully engaged in efforts to address the escalating insecurity in the region.
Speaking during a briefing at the Senate today, the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, underscored the need for urgent, collaborative, and lasting solutions, reports Channels TV.
According to him, the Senate, in partnership with the executive, will be visiting the affected communities with a delegation of senators to commiserate with victims and engage with critical stakeholders on the ground.
He said, “We are tired of paying condolence visits. We must put a stop to the killings. That’s why collaboration from everyone, federal, state, security agencies, and most importantly, the locals is essential to find a lasting solution”.
Adaramodu noted that President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to Benue State tomorrow would add significant weight to ongoing peace and security efforts.
“With the visit of Mr. President tomorrow, it will make great mileage,” he said.
Senator Adaramodu further underscored the Senate’s earlier call for a national security dialogue, reiterating that the forthcoming security summit is a direct response to that call and a critical step toward resolving Nigeria’s security challenges.
“When we hold the security summit, if there is any problem that is unknown, we will then know it.
“We have done enough appropriation that can aid the performance of the security agencies. Nobody can say that the engagements we have had have not yielded results,” he said.
On legislative productivity, Adaramodu addressed public perception regarding the Senate’s sitting schedule. He clarified that the Senate often exceeds the constitutional requirement of 181 plenary days per year.
The lawmaker said, “There are months we don’t take any holiday at all, aside from statutory holidays observed globally. Out of 365 days in a year, we sit for more than the mandated plenary days”.
Speaking on the spate of probes initiated by Senate committees, Adaramodu defended the process, stating that not all findings are made public, especially when agencies involved have complied satisfactorily with legislative expectations.
