The mood in the Senate rotated between joy and sadness on Tuesday as the lawmakers reconvened plenary after the primaries of their respective political parties.

Those who failed in their bid to win a reelection ticket were heard discussing their fate with colleagues, while senators who won their tickets were in a celebratory mood, exchanging banter loudly in the chambers.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, congratulated those who won and reassured the losers to have faith in the future.

“I congratulate political parties that recently concluded their primaries and internal democratic processes. I felicitate those who have secured the mandate of their parties to seek elective office.

“I know that there will always be victories and disappointments. Yet above every individual triumph stands the greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself”, he added.

However, the atmosphere became utterly dampened when Akpabio drew attention to the unresolved kidnapping of 46 people, including 39 students, seven teachers and a two-year-old child from a school in Oyo State on May 15.

The incident, which sent shockwaves throughout the country, again brought to the fore the security challenges of the country.

Senators immediately mourned the victims, especially those who lost their lives like one of the teachers, Mr Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded by the abductors.

The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased victims and commiserated with President Bola Tinubu and the government and people of Oyo State over the incident.

Akpabio said the government would step up its security strategies to ensure that the victims in captivity were safely returned home.

According to him, if the country can’t guarantee the safety of teachers, it implies that the foundation of the education system is weakened.

The Senate President stated, “Today, we grieve the loss of two dedicated educators: Mr Michael Oyedokun, who died in captivity, and Mr Adesiyan Adegboye, who lost his life during the attack. We also mourn the child whose life was cut short before its promise could be fulfilled.

“We share the pain of the bereaved families. Their loss is our loss. Their sorrow is our sorrow. Their pain is our pain. Yet even in the midst of grief, we remain hopeful that, through the determined efforts of the government and our security agencies, those still in captivity will be safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones.

“On behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the affected school community, and the government and people of Oyo State.”

He, however, cautioned against politicising insecurity, noting that all nations of the world faced security challenges that did not distinguish between political parties, religion and ethnicity.

“At moments such as these, there is a temptation to divide, to accuse, and to seek advantage from tragedy. Politicians and aspirants must resist that temptation for such cheap publicity,” Akpabio told his colleagues.

“Those who kidnap our children, terrorise our communities, and murder innocent citizens do not distinguish between party, faith, or ethnicity. Their assault is directed against Nigeria itself.”

To defeat them, Akpabio called for a united front by all Nigerians to fight terrorists and bandits as common enemies.

“Therefore, our response must be equal to the challenge. We must stand united, firm, and resolute.

Let us continue to support every lawful and necessary measure to strengthen security, protect our schools, safeguard our communities, and ensure that every bandit faces the full weight of justice,” he added.

On the part of the Senate, Akpabio promised that the legislative house would soon round off its security summit with a view to forwarding its recommendations to the executive arm for implementation. (TRIBUNE)

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