Abuja—Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Deputy Leader Senator Abdul Ningi engaged in a heated verbal exchange yesterday regarding the expenditures of governors’ security votes. Ningi, who represents the Bauchi Central senatorial district for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised concerns during a debate following a motion of urgent national importance addressing the persistent banditry attacks, killings, and displacement of innocent Nigerians in some villages of the Billiri Local Government Area in Gombe State. He questioned why governors were not utilizing their security votes to tackle the insecurity in their states.
The motion was introduced by Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro of the PDP, representing Gombe South.
In light of this, he called upon Senate President Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, to clarify why governors were not utilizing their security votes to improve security conditions in their states, rather than depending on the federal government for assistance. Ningi stated, “I am aware that every state government has security votes. This issue raises questions about what security votes actually represent. Why is it that whenever there are security problems, the role of governors is overlooked?”
He stated that the constitution clearly designates governors as the chief security officers of their states, emphasizing that the responsibility for ensuring the security of lives and property should not rest solely on the president.Ningi pointed out that each governor receives no less than N500 million monthly in security votes, suggesting that they should be capable of addressing some of the security challenges in their states.
In response to Ningi, Akpabio remarked, “When you become a governor, you will understand how security votes are utilized. The number of security issues that are resolved quietly far exceeds those that become public knowledge, and many of these actions go unreported.”He added, “Sometimes, security agencies intervene at higher levels to deal with criminals before they can execute their nefarious activities.”
“But those instances often go unreported, as only bad news is deemed significant by the media. Positive developments rarely receive coverage. Nevertheless, it’s important to acknowledge that state governments have a crucial role in addressing security and cannot rely solely on the federal government for such responsibilities.”
“By coincidence, security is a collective responsibility. For us to feel secure, every Nigerian must contribute to maintaining safety, peace, and harmony throughout the nation.”
Akpabio criticized the media for solely focusing on negative stories, particularly when it comes to highlighting the achievements of security personnel in their efforts against crime.
The Senate has urged the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Director General of the DSS to investigate recent attacks, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure their prosecution. They called for the immediate formation of a joint police and military task force in Billiri Local Government Area to prevent further violence. Additionally, the Senate requested that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) provide relief materials for displaced victims.
The Upper Chamber tasked the committees on legislative compliance, police affairs, and national security with ensuring these resolutions are implemented and finding long-term solutions to the ongoing insecurity. This motion was presented by Senator Yaro in response to the recent banditry incidents in Billiri, which resulted in multiple fatalities and significant property damage on December 11, 2024.
He condemned the recent attacks on villages such as Sansani, Kalindi, Powishi, and Lawushi Daji, where armed assailants killed residents, burned homes, and destroyed food supplies and livestock, leaving many people displaced. He stated: “The Senate recognizes that Sections 33 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) guarantee the right to life and the freedom of movement for all citizens.
He expressed alarm over the invasion by suspected herders armed with dangerous weapons during the night of December 11, 2024. These attackers raided the communities of Sansani, Kalindi, Powishi, and Lawushi Daji in Billiri Local Government Area, resulting in multiple fatalities, including the death of a cleric, as well as widespread destruction of property and displacement of residents.