Insecurity: Why The National Assembly Cannot Openly Probe The Military At This Time – Godswill Akpabio

According to Ireporter Online, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that although the National Assembly retains its constitutional powers of oversight, it is not appropriate at this time to publicly investigate the military due to the prevailing security situation in the country.

Akpabio explained that launching a public legislative probe into the Armed Forces while troops are actively engaged in counter-terrorism, anti-banditry and other security operations across Nigeria could negatively affect morale and weaken operational efficiency. He stressed that national security must be handled with caution to avoid undermining ongoing military efforts.

In a related clarification issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President also dismissed reports alleging that he had promised senatorial tickets to lawmakers who lost out in their party primaries. He described the reports as misleading and not reflective of his position, insisting that he neither made nor authorised such commitments.

The statement further noted that what Akpabio communicated to his colleagues was sympathy for those affected by the outcome of the primaries, while affirming that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was working through internal party mechanisms to address related concerns in line with its constitution and electoral guidelines.

It emphasized that Akpabio remains committed to party discipline, due process, and the established dispute resolution structures within the APC, adding that he would not interfere in the party’s autonomous processes or make commitments outside his constitutional role as Senate President.

On matters of security oversight, the statement reiterated that while legislative scrutiny is a constitutional duty, such engagement should be conducted in a way that does not disrupt ongoing military operations. It maintained that closed-door consultations and constructive engagement with security agencies would be more effective at this time, rather than a public inquiry that could distract troops from their responsibilities.

The Senate President also urged the media and the public to disregard what he described as sensationalized reports, calling on journalists to always seek clarification from his office before publishing stories relating to his comments or activities.