National Assembly
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
House of Representatives has renewed its resolve to reinforce security within the National Assembly complex, citing growing concerns over recent breaches and the need to ensure uninterrupted legislative operations.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, made this known during the opening of a public hearing on the Bill for Internal Security organized by the House Committee on Internal Security in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking through the Chief Whip, Rep. Bello Kumo, the Speaker underscored the urgency of strengthening the Assembly’s security framework, stressing that a well-secured parliament is essential for effective lawmaking and democratic stability.
Tajudeen described the proposed legislation as “a roadmap to enhancing Nigeria’s democracy through guaranteed protection for lawmakers and staff within the National Assembly.”
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Garba Muhammad, did not mince words about the growing unease within the complex.
He admitted that the National Assembly had witnessed incidents of car thefts and other security lapses, noting that the bill would serve as a lasting solution to the challenges.
> “This bill reflects our shared commitment to improving security due to the daily influx of people into the parliament,” Muhammad said, adding that the proposal draws from international best practices in managing internal security.
Also lending her voice, Deputy Director at the Policy and Legislative Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Ms. Omolara Akinyeye, threw the organization’s weight behind the initiative.
She emphasized that passing the bill would finally tackle the long-standing security issues that have plagued the National Assembly for years.
According to reports, the legislation is titled: A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Legislative Security Directorate in the National Assembly. It seeks to define the roles, qualifications, and service conditions of the Sergeant-at-Arms and other personnel charged with maintaining order and safety within the legislative complex.
With security anxieties simmering among lawmakers, the move signals a growing determination within the Green Chamber to shield itself from both internal and external threats that could disrupt Nigeria’s legislative process.
