Dramatic scenes unfolded in Nigeria's House of Representatives as a senior lawmaker launched a blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu's administration over the country's worsening security situation, even suggesting the parliament should be shut down until peace is restored.
Stinging Critique During Security Review
Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), delivered his explosive remarks during a special plenary session convened on Tuesday to review Nigeria's national security situation. The former Majority Leader did not mince words, declaring that the nation was engaged in a full-scale war against humanity.
While acknowledging ongoing operations by security agencies, Doguwa asserted that President Tinubu's government had failed in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property. He described the situation in Northern Nigeria, where he hails from, as devastating, unspeakable and tragically unbearable.
Government's Best Not Good Enough
In his passionate address to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Doguwa stated: "I want to say that yes, the government is doing its best, the security agencies are doing their best, but with every sense of responsibility and without any fear of equivocation, their best is not good enough."
The Kano lawmaker painted a grim picture of the security landscape, warning that the deepening crisis marked by banditry, kidnappings, terrorism and community attacks risks derailing political stability ahead of the 2027 general elections. He argued there was now a calculated attempt to demoralise the Nigerian state.
Drawing from popular culture to emphasize his point, Doguwa referenced Bob Marley's lyrics: "war in the North, war in the West, war in the East, and war down South," suggesting this reflected Nigeria's current reality.
Leadership Pushback and Clarifications
Doguwa's radical proposal to shut down the National Assembly drew immediate pushback from Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who insisted the Parliament could not be closed under any circumstances. Kalu maintained that the House remains the fulcrum of democracy and the institution best positioned to drive solutions to Nigeria's security challenges.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas later clarified that Doguwa's comments represented personal opinions rather than official House resolutions. "So it should be regarded as a contribution. At the end of these debates, we will now look at all the areas that are put to question and then come up with a resolution of the House," Abbas explained.
The security debate also featured contributions from other key figures. Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere observed the direct link between security, growth and development, while Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda admitted that all three arms of government should take responsibility for the prevailing security challenges.
Despite the heated exchange, the parliamentary session highlighted the growing concern among lawmakers about Nigeria's deteriorating security situation and the urgent need for decisive action from the Tinubu administration.
