Jonathan Withdraws Tonye Cole As Minister …As Senate Meets With Security Chiefs

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday in Abuja withdrew the nomination of Mr Tonye Cole (Rivers) as a minister.

He also forwarded Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Abia) for confirmation as a minister.

In a letter to the Senate, the President said a replacement for Cole would be sent shortly.

The Senate could not, however, continue with the screening of ministerial nominees as they went into a closed-door session with heads of security agencies in the country.

The lawmakers had on June 28, resolved to interact with security chiefs to get a detailed briefing on the security situation in the country.

Briefing newsmen after, the Leader of the Senate, Mr Ndoma Egba, said the briefing was extensive and covered every aspect of the security challenges, including the Boko Haram phenomenon.

The Senate leader said the security chiefs gave the assurance that the challenges, especially the issue of Boko Haram, would soon be tackled.

“The security chiefs have assured Nigerians that they are on top of the situation and that these challenges, especially that of Boko Haram, will be contained sooner than later.’’

Egba added that the Senate pledged to support the security agencies in their efforts to curtail security breaches, especially through appropriation and oversight.

He said the meeting with the security chiefs was a follow up to the resolutions taken by the Senate on the motion on the Boko Haram security threat which was considered last week on the Senate floor.

The Senate Leader also explained that the closed door session with the security chiefs was only in line with the rules of the House as such security briefings can only be given under closed door sessions.

Senator Ndoma Egba told correspondents that the briefing was quite extensive; covering every aspect of national security.

According to him the Security Chiefs had assured the Senate that they were on top of the situation and that the Boko Haram threats would soon be contained by the relevant agencies. The Senate , according to the Leader has also assured the security chiefs of the legislature’s readiness to assist them through budgetary appropriations.

Ndoma Egba also disclosed the senate’s call for the involvement of the Judiciary in contending with the current security situations by holding national interest dear to heart in their practice instead of giving terrorists time to move about committing more offences utilizing using opportunity provided by relaxed law proceedings.

The meeting had in attendance, heads of the arms of the military, IG of Police and the Director State Security Service.

According to him, one of the challenges the security chiefs pointed out was the absence of a law under which some of those infractions could be charged.

He, however, said with the passage of the Anti-terrorism Act, there was now an appropriate legal framework within which to deal with the situation.

“But beyond that, the promulgation of the Anti-terrorism Act has also given confidence to the international community. So, they now have a basis to cooperate with Nigeria in confronting terrorism.’’

Egba said the chiefs also noted the need for the judiciary to be integrated in the efforts as often times; those arrested were granted bail only to return to their nefarious acts.

Our correspondent reports that the briefing was attended by the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim and the Director of the SSS, Mr Ekpeyong Ita.

Nneka Amaechi –Nnadi,Abuja

Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi (right) exchanging the Programme Implementation Agreement with Mr Charles Nzuki of UNICEF at Government House Port Harcourt.