•As Tambuwal proposes stiff penalty for illegal firearms possession
From Peter Emeraghi, Abuja
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has declared that the country’s democracy is under threat.
Saraki, who raised the alarm at a book launch in Abuja yesterday, called on Nigerians to rise up and defend it.
He said: “Justice is served, heard, protected and should work for every single Nigerian. Democracy is being challenged in Nigeria and it is our job to look after it.”
The Senate president, who was represented by his wife, Toyin, during the book launch written by the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ali Ahmad, titled “The challenges of criminal justice administration in Nigeria”, said it is the responsibility of lawmakers to look after democracy in Nigeria and that everyone deserves access to medical treatment in the country.
Saraki said: “Thousands of Nigerians have no medical care and that is why we must ensure that everyone has the same access to healthcare. All births and deaths in the country must be recorded to ensure progress of democracy in the country.
“Healthcare equality is a human right and that is why in 2004, I collaborated with everyone in Kwara State to ensure the Child Right Act was adopted and passed on in the state. Every birth in Nigeria should be accounted for; that is why I have no problem when I get a call at midnight that a woman wants to deliver a child in prison.
“The government has no allocation for delivering children in incarceration. We should ensure that every birth and death is accounted for in Nigeria. Every child born in Nigeria must be registered and we can, as a matter of accountability, ensure that every death is recorded also.
“We have to protect those who cannot protect themselves. We need to provide the right care and treatment at the right time. Without these measures, we cannot provide for the progress of our country, but with these measures, we will become a fairer society which stands for the good of every citizen in our country.”
Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who was also at the book launch, proposed that the federal government should pass a law that will put people in possession of illegal firearms in prison for life and added that unlawful possession of firearms has put the country in jeopardy.
“The Federal Government must control firearms. Everyone not in possession of a legal and registered firearm should return it and pay for possession. A law must be passed to follow this act; there must be a life sentence for anyone found wanting in this regard.
“I urge the federal government to put a stop to this situation because the country is in great danger, unless these people are punished. The level of arms possession can cause a lot of damage in the country.”
Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, said there should be dedication, determination and commitment in order to enhance the efficiency of the criminal justice administration in Nigeria.
“We must be dedicated and committed to these exercises because they will enhance the criminal justice system in our country. I believe that National interest should guide the exercise of presidential system which is being practiced in Nigeria.
“We have to make democracy more considerable in Nigeria. I call for a stronger working relationship between the arms of government for better democracy in Nigeria. As key stakeholders, let us all make democracy more meaningful in our country,” he said.