Opposition Lawmakers Demand Overhaul Of Security Architecture

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, has demanded the immediate overhaul of the national security architecture, saying what the nation required is funding on security intelligence and not propaganda.

It insisted that President Bola Tinubu must suspend all 2027 political activities and declare a 6-month National Security and Economic Recovery Plan.

Addressing journalists in National Assembly, Abuja yesterday, the caucus led by the minority leader, Hon. Fred Agbedi, said Nigeria was bleeding, confused and being deliberately pushed to the brink by a government that elevated 2027 electioneering above the lives and welfare of citizens.

The caucus condemned in the strongest terms what it called the horrendous murder of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in terrorist captivity in Katsina and the subsequent release of his wife under questionable circumstances.

It called for a full and transparent investigation into his abduction and murder, saying the nation deserves to know how terrorists now kill generals with impunity

“That a General of the Nigerian Army, who once commanded troops and defended this nation, could be kidnapped alongside his wife and later declared dead under unclear circumstances is a grave indictment of a failed state. It is a national embarrassment.

“It tells the world that in today’s Nigeria, neither rank, service, nor sacrifice guarantees safety.  What is particularly irksome is that before General Rabe’s murder, two other Generals and commanding officers had been slain in battle without the repercussion of their sad demise visited on anyone or group.

“While we mourn General Rabe, we ask: If a General is not safe within the borders of our nation, then who truly is?  Not even our respected traditional rulers and monarchs, who have now become easy targets of vicious bandits who kidnap and kill them at will. Our security is in the mud. Yet, the political class is busy rehearsing new political dance steps, seemingly unbothered.

“To General Rabe’s family, the Nigerian Army, and to all patriots who still believe in this country, we extend our deepest condolences. But condolences will not bring him back; neither does it restore confidence in the citizenry. Action will,” the caucus said.

It asked the government to  launch a special military operation within 72 hours to rescue the school children and teachers abducted in Oyo state and still in captivity.

The caucus also condemned the judgement of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register five opposition political parties.

The lawmakers called on INEC to resist being used to sabotage democracy, stressing that they will not accept a 2027 election rigged before it begins.

“This judgment, coming only months to the country’s general elections and after a subsisting Appeal Court decision on the same matter, is  not intended to serve justice.

“Instead, it appears to be a deliberate ploy to engender judicial chaos weaponized to destabilize the polity. For us as a Caucus, this is rascality taken too far, and a danger to participatory democracy.

“Let us be clear: We consider Justice Lifu’s judgment as a calculated attempt to muscle legitimate opposition out of the race for the 2027 Presidency.

We cannot stand aloof and watch Nigerians being kidnapped and killed daily, while the system is busy manufacturing political confusion.

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria must wade into the conflicting judgments on party registration to save the judiciary from further embarrassment. INEC must resist being used to sabotage democracy. We will not accept a 2027 election rigged before it begins.

“The attempt to kill opposition parties through judicial ambush, to ignore mass killings while chasing second term, and to normalize the abduction of children is a declaration of war against Nigerians.

“We, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. We will use every legislative instrument to hold this government accountable.

“To Nigerians: Do not despair. 2027 will not be decided in Aso Rock or by compromised courts. It will be decided by you, the people. The opposition parties will stand with you. The opposition will not be muscled out. Nigeria will be rescued,” the caucus concluded.