Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed concerns over Nigeria’s security, economic and democratic challenges, calling for urgent measures to address rising insecurity, economic hardship and issues affecting political institutions.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja, Minority Leader Fred Agbedi said the opposition lawmakers felt compelled to speak on what they described as critical national issues, including the continued abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, worsening economic conditions and recent judicial developments.
The caucus urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State, describing their prolonged captivity as troubling.
“As we speak, school children and their teachers abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity. Their crime? Going to school in Nigeria,” Agbedi said.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“If a General is not safe within the borders of our nation, then who truly is?” Agbedi asked.
The caucus called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security strategy, improved welfare for security personnel, stronger intelligence gathering and reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture.
On the economy, the lawmakers said many Nigerians continued to face difficulties linked to rising living costs and inflation, urging the government to prioritise policies that would ease the burden on citizens.
They also raised concerns over a recent Federal High Court judgment directing the deregistration of five opposition political parties, arguing that developments affecting political participation should be handled carefully to preserve democratic competition.
According to Agbedi, “This judgment, coming only months to the country’s general elections and after a subsisting Appeal Court decision on the same matter, is not intended to serve justice. Instead, it appears to be a deliberate ploy to engender judicial chaos weaponised to destabilise the polity.”
The lawmakers welcomed the intervention of the Court of Appeal, which halted the implementation of the judgment, and urged stakeholders to remain committed to strengthening democratic institutions.
As part of its recommendations, the caucus called for the immediate rescue of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers, an investigation into the death of the retired military officer, reforms within the security sector and measures to protect democratic processes ahead of future elections.
The briefing was attended by Deputy Minority Leader Abdussamad Dasuki, House Minority Whip Mansur Soro and the leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress caucus in the House, Afam Ogene.
