The Senate on Wednesday rejected a proposal for a comprehensive audit of military spending following the recent rising insecurity, especially kidnapping and banditry in some parts of the country.
The decision came during consideration of a motion on the abduction of about 50 persons, including schoolchildren and teachers, in Oyo State, sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC Oyo North).
While lawmakers unanimously backed calls for the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts for the victims’ release and expansion of the Safe Schools Initiative, a push for financial oversight of defence expenditure failed to gain support on the floor.
In his contribution to the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North), moved that the Senate carry out a security and spending audit to determine whether funds appropriated for defence had been effectively utilised.
“It doesn’t appear to me that we have carried out an audit of resolutions passed in the past. What actions have been taken?
“If the armed forces are not accountable and if we don’t carry out oversight of military resources, then we are failing in our responsibility,” Oshiomhole said.
He argued that the National Assembly was entitled to feedback on appropriated funds.
“We need to carry out a security audit. We are entitled to get feedback on the monies appropriated. Until such an audit is conducted, we may not know whether the resources provided are being optimally deployed,” he stated.
However, the proposal failed to progress as it was not seconded by any senator during the debate.
Several lawmakers instead called on state governments to strengthen local security measures and support federal efforts.
Others urged the President to query service chiefs and demanded greater accountability from security agencies, but did not back the specific audit motion.
Senator Oshiomhole referenced an earlier abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi State, where the state government alleged military personnel were withdrawn shortly before the attack.
He recalled that the Senate had passed a resolution directing military authorities to identify the commander who ordered the withdrawal, but said the directive had not been implemented.
“We passed a resolution asking the military to produce the name of the officer who gave the order. To date, no action has been taken,” he added.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio hit the gavel against the former Edo State governor’s proposal when there was no any senator to second it.