By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

ABUJA—The National Peace Committee, headed by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, yesterday, joined issues with the Senate for trying to rock the boat in its effort in selecting its principal officers.

The committee therefore, warned the Senators to quickly retrace their steps, toe the path of peace and put their house in order for the overall interest of the nation and its people.

It said: “Let the Senators very quickly restore the order, dignity and integrity that are the hallmarks of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We must have all arms on deck so that we can quickly rout Boko Haram, restore law and order and proceed with the much-desired change of cleansing the Augean stable and delivering quality services to the Nigerian people.”

The committee promoted peace among the different political parties prior to the elections and has Bishop Matthew Kukah as convener.

In a statement jointly signed by the former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Bishop Kukah, the committee said it was shocked at the level of action of the Senators, who turned a simple inauguration into a vicious war that threatens to undermine the moral authority and efficacy of the Senate.

The committee described the action of the Senators as ugly and unacceptable to Nigerians, arguing that it neither dignifies the Senate nor honours Nigerians who voted for them.

The committee said that while it understands the anxiety of the APC and its members in the Senate, it is at best a family fight which should not be allowed to assume a public spectacle.

Reaping the fruits of change
Similarly, the committee said the APC should work towards making Nigerians to reap the fruits of the change it promised them by showing personal and institutional acts of patriotism, altruism, discipline, decorum, maturity, sacrifice and decency.

The committee noted: “This is why we have watched with some measure of sorrow, the unacceptable attitude of the members of the highest Legislative body, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“What was supposed to have been a routine process of inaugurating the principal officers is gradually turning into a vicious internecine duel that threatens to undermine the moral authority and efficacy of that important body.

“The story of the process leading to the elections of the principal officers in that August body week is well known to all Nigerians. Given the maturity, track record and experience of the body, we wonder why a routine process has turned into an ugly and selfish dogfight. This is unacceptable to Nigerians. It neither dignifies the Senate nor does it honour what Nigerians voted for. It is not the way to thank God for what He has done to those who were lucky to be elected to that high office, nor does it honour what He has done to our country.

Lauds Reps
“We commend the members of the Lower House who have successfully concluded their process and are positioned to face their challenge of Law making. We therefore call on the members of the Senate to very quickly put their house in order.

“We appreciate the anxieties of both the leaders of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and their members in the Senate. But this is at best a family quarrel that should not become a public spectacle.

APC’s challenge
“The challenge now is for the APC to justify the confidence that Nigerians placed on them when they bought into their mantra of change. We expect this change to be marked by personal and institutional acts of patriotism, altruism, discipline, decorum, maturity, sacrifice and decency.

“Finally, we salute the President for upholding his position and philosophy of being for all and belonging to none. Let the Senators very quickly restore the order, dignity and integrity that are the hallmarks of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We must have all arms on deck so that we can quickly rout Boko Haram, restore law and order and proceed with the much-desired change of cleansing the Augean stable and delivering quality services to the Nigerian people.”