The senators elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) walked out of the Senate on Wednesday after a motion on security was dismissed.
Minority leader, Senator Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT ), had raised a point of order to draw the attention of Senate President Ahmad Lawan to bring to the public discussions on issues of insecurity at a close session that lasted two hours.
Lawan, however, intercepted, saying that it was against the Senate rule to bring up any matters of such without his prior consultation.
Lawan, thereafter, ruled the minority leader out of order.
Thereafter, Senators of the opposition parties stage a walkout chanting a solidarity song.
Aduda at a news conference in accompany of other opposition lawmakers said: “We went through a closed session to discuss issues as it relates to security in this country especially the happenings in Abuja and happenings all over the country.
“We agree that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property of citizens.
“And for us the minority caucus in the Senate we took into cognisance the fact the Senate had at various levels, at various times, convened various security meetings, issues were discussed.
“We did recommend to government various steps and measures aimed at curbing these issues on insecurity.
“We realise that even Abuja that we are in is longer safe.
“At the closed session we agreed that we will give the president an ultimatum to comply.
“This is what we agreed at in the closed session. So, when we came out of the closed door session, we expected that the Senate President will brief the public on the issue that happened.
“However that did not happen, so we have come here in protest to brief you and to let you know that we are with Nigerians in this struggle.
“And that we are worried that nowhere is safe in Nigeria and as such, we have walked out of the chamber in protest that the security situation is deteriorating and that urgent steps need to be completely taken to ensure that these issues are curbed immediately.”
