Insecurity threatening national unity, economy – Speakers

•Masari Urges State Of Emergency On Insecurity
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari have decried the negative trend of insecurity in the nation.

The Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman said this during the opening ceremony of the Conference’s general meeting themed, ‘The Menace of Insecurity in the Country and the Role of State Assemblies to Restore Peace and Order.’ The meeting held at the Presidential Lodge, Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina yesterday.

Suleiman stated that insecurity in the country has assumed a disturbing dimension hence constitutes a serious threat not only to the economic growth and development but also to the peace and unity of the nation. He stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to fight the menace for the good of the nation.

“We have convened this meeting to discuss and proffer solutions to this problem within our constitutional mandate. And we hope legislative frameworks at the sub-national level will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Federal Government to check the menace of insecurity in the country,” the Chairman explained.

Abubakar also acknowledged the efforts and deep commitment of Governor Masari toward ridding Katsina state of every form of criminality with the support and cooperation of the Katsina State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari. 

He urged the Governor and his colleagues in the parliament to continue supporting and cooperating with each other in the fight against insecurity. 

The Chairman noted that the efficiency and effectiveness with which the legislative arm can carry out its constitutional mandate depends largely on how financially autonomous the arm is, as provided by the 4th Alteration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which stated that financial autonomy for both the state legislature and judiciary is very germane for good governance in our country. 

While acknowledging and commending the efforts and passion of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in this regard in general and the individual governors that have assented to Fund Management Bills in their respective states in particular, he called on other state governors to give assents to the noble Bill for effective and efficient implementation of financial autonomy across the nation.

In his welcome address, the Speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly and Vice Chairman, Northwest Zone of the Conference, Rt. Hon. Tasiu Maigari expressed the appreciation of the people of Katsina for the opportunity to host the third quarter general meeting of the Conference, which he said will help the State greatly as one of the states being hit by insecurity.

According to him, the meeting will provide them an avenue to discuss the role the state legislature in tackling insecurity and strengthening democracy in the country.

Delivering the keynote address, Governor Aminu Bello Masari commended the Speakers for choosing Katsina State for the very important meeting.

Governor Masari, who urged the Federal Government to declare a State of emergency on security in the country to restore peace and order in the country, explained that the Katsina State Government with cooperation of the State Assembly has provided legal framework and restructured existing ones, among other measures, to curb insecurity in the State.