Senate seeks wholesale war against Boko Haram

THE Senate Tuesday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a total war on Boko Haram in the North East, asking that resources be mobilised to that effect.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly also grant accelerated  approval to the $1 billion external loan requested by the President shortly before it embarked on its long recess. break be granted accelerated approval. 

Accordingly, the Ahmed Makarfi-led Committee on Finance was asked to consider the request and report back to the Senate within one week.

Adopting a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and others tagged "Threat to National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Nigeria by Insurgents", the Senate resolved that the Boko Haram challenge had risen beyond mere insurgency to a full scale war against the Nigerian state, submitting that only a declaration of total war by the President would offer a sustainable solution to the menace.

Ruling on the motion, Mark insisted that "when Boko Haram moved from kidnapping, killing of people and destruction of property to occupation of parts of Nigerian territory, it has declared a total war in Nigeria.

 "There is no difference between what Boko Haram is doing against Nigeria and what an enemy country waging war against Nigeria would have done".

He continued: "The issue is beyond that of mere internal security. It is about how we execute the war. If Boko Haram has captured most parts of the country we represent and has created a Caliphate, it means that some of the Senators from those areas can no longer be in this chamber. This is why we must pay urgent attention to the matter".

Mark also pointed out that the threat posed by Boko Haram war will affect the 2015 general election. He however insisted that the issue at stake is far beyond that of election.

He added: "There is no question of election, it is not even on the table now. We are in a state of war. All of us cannot carry gun  to fight, but we all have roles to play in bringing the situation to an end".

 "The entire Senate leadership, chairmen of committees that have roles to play on national security, defence and intelligence as well as all senators from the three affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe are to meet with Mr. President and deliver the resolutions of the Senate to him," Mark stated.