Senate President Akpabio says Nigeria’s economic hardship and security challenges are testing citizens’ patience to the limit.
The House of Representatives issued a stark warning on Monday, cautioning that a continued failure by the Federal Government to tackle worsening insecurity across the country could provoke a citizens’ uprising. Lawmakers lamented the alarming resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and other security threats, despite the over ₦19.7 trillion reportedly spent on defense between 2015 and 2019.
This warning came as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in a passionate address to fellow senators during plenary resumption, acknowledged that the mounting economic difficulties and persistent insecurity are straining the patience of Nigerians. He urged the National Assembly to act decisively through legislative measures.
The House was thrown into a tense debate following a motion of urgent national importance raised by Hon. Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno), who highlighted recent attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe States, including a fire outbreak at the Giwa Barracks armoury in Maiduguri.
Hon. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) warned that elected officials could soon become targets of public frustration. “If urgent steps are not taken, Nigerians will begin to turn on us,” he said. “We may not be attacked by Boko Haram, but by the very people who elected us.”
Echoing this sentiment, Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) painted a grim picture of the situation in his constituency, reporting the use of weaponized drones by insurgents and the killing of dozens of civilians and military personnel. “Boko Haram is not only back, but they are more sophisticated than ever before,” he stated.
Hon. Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno) added that foreign fighters were involved in recent attacks, and expressed concern about poor military strategy and positioning of barracks in densely populated areas.
In a bold proposal, Hon. Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) called on the House to consider legislation that would empower citizens to protect themselves in the face of inadequate security presence. “Our security forces are overstretched and unfamiliar with local terrains,” he said. “Let us give our people legal means to defend themselves.”
Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) also criticized the poor returns on massive security spending, calling for “drastic measures” and stronger oversight.
Following the heated debate, the House resolved to investigate the cause of the Giwa Barracks armoury fire, review security measures in military installations nationwide, urge the Federal Government to reinforce military operations in Borno and Yobe States, provide support and compensation to the families of fallen soldiers, and mandate the Committees on Army, Defence, and National Security to report findings within weeks.
Addressing the Senate after the Easter and Eid recess, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminded lawmakers of the weight of responsibility on their shoulders.
“The people are watching. The world is watching. And history—silent but unsleeping—is watching,” he declared.
Akpabio called for national unity, sacrifice, and bold legislative steps to address insecurity, economic instability, and regional discontent.
“Let us rise from these chambers with laws that heal wounds and restore hope,” he urged. “This is not a time for rhetoric, but for rescue.”
He promised the Senate would prioritize key legislation on security reforms, economic resilience, education, youth empowerment, and institutional performance.
With pressure mounting on all fronts—economic, political, and security—both chambers of the National Assembly are under increasing scrutiny to not only speak, but act decisively. Whether their words will be matched with effective policy remains to be seen.
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