ABUJA: The Senate will discuss the Nigeria–United States security partnership behind closed doors, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said.
Akpabio’s comment followed a Point of Order on Privileges raised on Wednesday by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP–Bauchi) during plenary.
Ningi warned that any alleged foreign military strike on Nigerian territory without due constitutional process would amount to a grave breach of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the authority of the National Assembly.
He was referring to the reported Christmas Day bombing of terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State by United States forces, allegedly carried out in collaboration with Nigerian security agencies.
Invoking matters of privilege, Ningi demanded that the issue be addressed immediately, stressing that the 1999 Constitution vests legislative powers primarily in the National Assembly.
Quoting the constitution, he said legislative powers are vested in the National Assembly to make laws for the “peace, order and good government of the federation.”
Ningi alleged that the December strike by the US military within Nigerian territory constituted “a complete violation” of the Nigerian Constitution and a breach of the United Nations Charter.
According to him, only the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is constitutionally empowered to authorise any military action within Nigeria.
He explained that while foreign forces could collaborate with Nigerian troops, operational control must remain with Nigeria.
“The executive acts, but the legislature must speak. This assembly has a core responsibility and accountability in governance,” Ningi said.
He therefore called on the leadership of the National Assembly to demand an immediate security briefing from relevant agencies.
Responding, Akpabio cautioned against debating the matter in open session, noting that Ningi had raised a matter of privilege and not a motion for general debate.
“I don’t want anybody to contribute. You have argued your issue, and no contribution is required,” Akpabio said.
He disclosed that after reviewing the relevant constitutional provisions, the Senate leadership concluded that Ningi’s privilege had not been breached.
He added that the matter involved sensitive security issues that could not be discussed publicly, insisting that a closed session would be more appropriate.
“Because it is a matter of security, we should not discuss it in the open. We need a closed session so that we can be properly briefed,” Akpabio said.
He explained that the Senate was unable to hold such a session earlier due to time constraints following the loss of a senator during the chamber’s first sitting.
