AS the 8th National Assembly marks its second anniversary, the President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki has said that the unity of Nigeria was not negotiable.
Saraki who spoke at a special valedictory session to mark the anniversary of the Senate warned those who are insinuating Nigeria’s breakup, (Like Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB people) to desist.
Saraki’s call followed remarks by other lawmakers urging the senate to take a position on the matter.
While commending lawmakers for their cooperation in ensuring that challnges faced at the onset were overcome, he added that the Senate would in the same unity ensure that Nigeria was not divided.
“I thank you all for your contribution and kind words and words of encouragement.
“We have done two years and for the second part, we must be ready to take on the issues before us.
“As we promised we want to conclude the Constitution Review exercise to be one more promise kept.
“Also the senate must stand clearly to defend one Nigeria. There is no room for division and we must live by example. The next two years will be more challenging but we must stand together.
“Another is the fight against corruption. We will ensure that agencies know we will ensure transparency. We are not afraid of anybody,’’ he said.
He called on the various standing committees to take their oversight function seriously, urging them to be bold to expose corrupt practices in the course of their duties.
He also called on the need to build institutions rather for a sustainable democracy, adding that institution lived beyond certain tenure of government.
Saraki thanked the management of the National Assembly as well as newsmen for their contributions.
He called on the lawmakers to continue to remember late Sen. Isiaka Adekele, passed on few months ago in their prayers, while praying for the repose of his soul.
Some lawmakers who spoke called on the National Assembly, particularly the Senate to rise against recurrent secessionist moves in some parts of the country.
They expressed concern that while the Federal Government was preaching peace and unity, some parts of the country were strongly bent on seceding or threatening to cause mayhem.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Sen. George Akume, said the senate must rise up to make a statement condemning the various agitations in parts of the country.
He said if the senate kept quiet in the face of the agitations, it would be failing as a major legislative arm of government.
“I want to call the attention of this Senate to movements in this country, including Biafra (IPOB, MASSOB), Arewa, some
