9th House of Reps speaker and the move against insecurity

Insurgency, banditry, killings and kidnappings, which spurred the displacement of the population and the economy, have always been of great concern to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila. The Speaker, even as a first-term member in 2003, vowed not to rest on his oars until he contributes his own modest quota towards […]

Insurgency, banditry, killings and kidnappings, which spurred the displacement of the population and the economy, have always been of great concern to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Speaker, even as a first-term member in 2003, vowed not to rest on his oars until he contributes his own modest quota towards finding a lasting solution to these challenges. People-centred legislations and policies have always been a challenge he decided to take on, with a conviction to give it an added drive if he ever found himself in the position to drive decisions.

On assumption of office as the Speaker of the 9th House, Gbajabiamila found it imperative to make the plight of the common man a priority, and this, among other reasons, accounted for the fact-finding and on-the-spot assessment visits to areas affected by insurgency, banditry and other crimes that have displaced people from their homes, while dislocating their economy and that of their states.

He began the peace tour from Zamfara State on July 14, 2019 and followed it up with another one to Borno State on July 30, less than three days after bomb blasts that claimed more than 60 lives. Why take on this enormous task despite the physical security risk involved, coupled with the knowledge that the resolutions and recommendations emanating from the legislature are advisory and not binding on the executive?

In Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the Speaker told the gathering which had in attendance Governor Bello Matawalle, the state cabinet, traditional rulers, factions of insurgents groups and displaced persons that “All the years that many of us have been in the House of Representatives, we bring up issues concerning security and insecurity in Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria, Zamfara inclusive.

“We argue these issues, we debate these issues, and we come up with resolutions that we feel might help in resolving the issues. But alas! Over the years, all these frantic efforts end on the rinky-dink. Our arguments, our debates are based on what we read on newspaper reports, what we see on television and what we hear.

“They are not based on actual assessment on the ground. They are not based on the interaction with the stakeholders that are here today. Since seeing is believing, we decided, for the first time in the history of this nation that the House of Representatives would be here with the presiding officers to get the real facts based on ground assessment, not on hearsay, not on newspapers report, not on TV reports, but from interaction, interfacing with stakeholders and having a proper assessment of what is happening in Zamfara State. With the view of going back to the National Assembly, the seat of power, and getting government intervention and making recommendations based on that assessment to government.”

The trip was not a jamboree. It was his determination to secure commitments from all the stakeholders that peace should be given a chance for the benefit of the people and the development of the state so ravaged by insurgency.

“What we’re going to be talking about is solutions and where the government can intervene. How do we move forward? I believe it’s a question of doing the right thing, at the right time, first and foremost, resettlement, allowing everybody to live in peace,” the Speaker assured.

One of the solutions, he said, is to develop the three senatorial districts in the state alongside the state government.

“So, here’s the deal for me on my part and on the part of the House of Representatives, we shall give you and devote sizable amount of resources to the senatorial districts in Zamfara State for peace. We will ensure that we deploy security forces which are needed to cater for the citizens of Zamfara State. Without security forces, we’re not going to achieve much; the ratio of security men to citizens not just in Zamfara State, everywhere in Nigeria does not come close to international best practices.

The high point of the visit was the release of six hostage victims to the Speaker by repentant bandit leaders. He also made a contribution of trailer loads of food materials to the affected victims.

In less than three days to the last bomb blast in Maiduguri that claimed more than 60 lives, the Speaker saw no reason to defer his peace reconciliation trip to Maiduguri. In the afternoon of Tuesday 30th of last month, the Speaker and his colleagues were in Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno to assess the extent of the damages hauled on the once very peaceful state.

Accompanied by the Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Whip Muhammad Monguno and others, the Speaker expressed his concern over plight of the future generations languishing in the various internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the region.

“Constitutionally, the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of its people. These are our people, and we must make sure that they’re well taken care of. If you see me, if you see the House, then you see the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I want you to take it away. I stand here as the Speaker of the House, but we’re one government. The president is aware that I’m here. We’re one government, and we speak with one voice. Whatever is comes under my voice, is coming from Mr President,” he said.

For Speaker Gbajabiamila, this is just the beginning of the several interventions that the 9th House under his leadership would come up with in order to better the lives of Nigerians.

Dele Anofi is an aide on Print Media to the Speaker.