State of emergency should be declared, House of Reps shut down amid worsening insecurity – Ado-Doguwa

A member of the House of Representatives representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency of Kano, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has demanded the immediate shutdown of the Green Chamber over incessant killings and kidnappings across the country.

Mr Ado-Doguwa, who spoke during a special session on insecurity on Tuesday, called for drastic measures.

“The country is running in blood and tears. Farmers cannot go to farms. Traders cannot go to markets. Worshippers cannot go to mosques and churches. Then what are you legislating here? What laws are you making?” the lawmaker stated. “If the government is not prepared to provide what will protect Nigerians, I urge you to stand up and pay the supreme cost, and that is not more than to shut it down, declare a state of emergency on any legislative issues and wait till the right thing is done by the government of the day.”

Mr Ado-Doguwa noted that while constitutional provisions empower the federal government to secure lives and property across the country, subnational governments should also be held accountable for the security of Nigerians.

He said, “The responsibility of security, of course, by constitutional provisions, is the sole responsibility of the centre. Governments at the subnational (level) are also accountable and must be held responsible for the security of lives and properties of their people.”

The lawmaker further described the killings and abductions as a calculated attempt to demoralise the Nigerian state and undermine its political processes, adding the menace should not be tied to religions, ethnicities or political parties.

“I want to say that in virtually all our constituencies, everyone can give you an account of what is happening. This menace isn’t religious or political. It doesn’t have any identification related to a party or tribe. It is a calculated attempt to demoralise the Nigerian state,” Mr Ado-Doguwa explained. “And if care is not taken, even for those of us who take politics more seriously, we are going to have bigger questions to answer. This unnecessary insecurity is conspiracy targeted at our political processes.”

While stressing the need for peace and stability in the country, especially ahead of the 2027 elections, the lawmaker urged meaningful collaboration among levels of government to salvage the unfortunate situation.

“We must put our hands on deck and call whoever is responsible to order. And this house must not take it for granted that we are not part of the government. If the government is wanting, then this institution of the legislature is a component of the government itself. We have to look inward ourselves to see what more of oversight functions are we going to make and provide.

“We are equally responsible. We should go to our constituencies and lead civil organisations or civil vigilantes. Let’s go and reorganise our vigilance groups. We take commands and take charge of such organisations to see how we can salvage and protect our country, Nigeria. What we expect of the Nigerian government, no more, no less, is to have absolute security,” Mr Ado-Doguwa stated.

The lawmaker’s suggestion came amid intensified attacks by armed bandits, especially on schools and churches in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger and other states, killing many Nigerians while abducting several others.

Meanwhile, the government announced the release of 38 kidnapped worshippers in Eruku, Kwara, and 51 of the pupils kidnapped in a Catholic school in Niger.

While welcoming the release of 24 kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi, Mr Tinubu on Tuesday ordered a security cordon on the forests of affected states.