IT was a session devoid of the usual endless backslapping and chatting in the Senate yesterday.

As the members of the Upper House resumed from their long break, Senate President David Mark tabled before them national issues demanding the senators’ urgent attention.

He listed them as including the rising threat to national stability from terrorists, amendment of the Constitution, state creation, state police, new revenue formula, uniform national minimum wage, and reform of local council administration.

Mark tasked the senators to connect with their constituents and security agencies to unmask persons behind the series of bomb blasts and violence in the country.

Mark said: “When evil men conspire, all good men must congregate. We represent every segment of this country from where we draw our mandate and we must therefore return to the people and work with them in addressing our security challenges.”

To the Executive arm of government, Mark asked it to rise to the occasion by bringing all parties involved in the dastardly acts to book.

He said: “I urge the Federal Government to take decisive steps to stem this ugly tide. It must rise to emphatically make this land most infertile for all sponsors and peddlers of terrorism and anarchy. And in doing this, there must be no sacred cows.”

He pledged that the National Assembly would address them in the next round of the amendment of the Constitution.

Mark also disclosed that the Upper Chamber would engage the nation’s security chiefs in another round of dialogue with a view to addressing the security challenges in the country.

At the plenary session, Mark regretted that during the recess, the issue of security challenge reared its ugly head with the bombing of the United Nations (UN) House in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Also yesterday, the House of Representatives resolved to summon the heads of the security agencies to look at ways to end terrorism in Nigeria.

The House, which resumed plenary after a six-week recess, said the meeting with the security chiefs would be held behind closed doors.

Its House’ resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent national importance brought by Patrick Ikhiariale, who decried the rising spate of bomb explosions in the country, a development he said was linked to terrorist activities.

The Chamber condemned the bombing of the UN House and resolved to lead a delegation to visit the UN representatives in Nigeria, as well as condole with all the nations who lost their citizens in the explosion.

The session was presided over by the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

The House paid tribute to the deceased Second Republic Speaker Edwin Ume-Ezoeke, the late military Vice President, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu and the former Kaduna State Governor, Group Captain Usman Jibrin, who died recently.

Mark said: “Permit me to note, albeit most sadly, that in the past few months, our dear nation has come under grievous attacks by forces of darkness and agents of insecurity and destabilisation. Innocent lives have been mindlessly wasted and property wantonly destroyed through bomb explosions and related acts of violence. Emotions have been ruptured, rivers of tears ripped open, and the land needlessly drenched with the blood of hapless innocent citizens.

“Indeed, what we have witnessed are gravely discordant with our cultural and religious values of the sanctity of life and our age-long tradition of being our brothers’ keeper. I have no doubt therefore that you share my view that this is most deplorable and totally unacceptable. We must address the issue of insecurity squarely, head on once and for all,’’ he said.

Mark recalled that the Upper House had taken some steps to address insecurity in the country and assured that the Senate would not allow Nigerians to live in perpetual fear.

“Meanwhile, it is imperative to recall that the Senate has never rested on its oars in the search for greater peace and security in the land. In the discharge of our responsibilities as a sensitive parliament, this hallowed Chamber has hosted security chiefs at various times on the security situation in the country. The National Assembly also enacted the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 to boost not only our internal security, but also the global security.

“While we appeal to all Nigerians to recourse to dialogue and democratic modes of ventilating feelings and pursuing legitimate courses, permit me to emphasise that we cannot allow the people we represent to continue to live in fear,’’ he declared.

According to Mark, the situation called for synergy among various stakeholders for solution. He said: “What the times call for is greater collaboration, not only between the Senate and the security agencies, but also between our constituents and us. When evil men conspire, all good men must congregate. We represent every segment of this country from where we draw our mandate and we must therefore return to the people and work with them in addressing our security challenges.

“The bombers and their sponsors live amongst us. Therefore our constituents should spare nothing in assisting to find a lasting solution to this national embarrassment.

“I earnestly hope and pray that God will assist us to overcome this challenge as soon as possible. It is also with a heavy heart that I note the worsening spate of natural and environmental disasters in parts of the nation in recent times.’’

Mark led the Chamber to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the UN House bomb attack.

He also recalled the food disasters across the country and sympathised with the victims even as he pledged that the Senate would take legislative actions on the matter.

“The number of tragic floods experienced across the country in the last few months has been very unusual, both in intensity and in human and material tolls on our nation. From the devastating floods of Lagos to the most recent and by far the most catastrophic incident in Ibadan, Oyo State; it has been a gale of tears and sorrow. On behalf of the Senate, therefore, I send our heartfelt commiseration to the affected states, especially to persons who suffered human or material losses in the unfortunate incidents.

“Let me reiterate, that the degree of abuse and environmental degradation as evidenced in the recent report on the impacts of man-made disasters orchestrated by oil exploration interests in Ogoniland is condemnable,” Mark said.

As an institution, he said the Senate would continue to provide the legislative frameworks that support every concerted effort towards addressing the human factors that have worsened our environmental challenges.

He said the Standing Committee on Environment, when constituted, would work with all stakeholders to preserve the environment, life and property.

Mark raised some hope for Nigerians who are agitating for creation of new states, devolution of powers and the knotty issue of revenue allocation, assuring that the Senate would soon find answers to them.

“Let me note that constitution amendment remains one of the top priorities of the seventh Senate. Our success in the electoral reforms is now obvious and has been widely acknowledged after the 2011 general election. I congratulate members of the sixth National Assembly, once again, for breaking the jinx of constitution amendment in Nigeria. The onus is therefore on us to build on this success. We shall endeavour to produce a workable constitution that will stand the test of time,’’ he said.

On the planned amendment of the constitution, Mark said: “Nigerians expect us to revisit some fundamental issues such as state creation, the local government system, devolution of powers, revenue allocation, state police, state electoral commission, uniform minimum wage, joint account and other contentious but important issues.”

Mark raised some posers as he said: “Should we allow state police? Will it enhance policing duties and reduce criminality in the country? Is the current revenue formula equitable? Will a change in favour of the states enhance the deliverables to the people? Should power distribution be on the Exclusive Legislative List? Shouldn’t states that invest in power generation be allowed to distribute?”

He continued: “Is it necessary to create new states? Will it bring government nearer to the people and address cries of marginalisation?

“How effective are the local governments? Should they be made to function independently of the states? Is the Joint state/local governments’ account still necessary?

“We will not run away from any of these issues. I therefore expect that in this session, we will not only deal with them, but also with other issues that will guarantee good governance, peace, justice, and development in our country.’’

Mark said in the course of pursuing the legislative agenda, the Senate might review the Electoral Act 2010. “Now that primaries and elections are over and the tribunals are addressing the aftermaths of the election in accordance with the Electoral Act, we should be able to draw from the lessons learnt and further amend the Act accordingly. Thus, while the 2010 Act laid the foundation for possibly the best election in our democratic history, like any other human products, it is still not perfect. In our quest to continue to improve our electoral processes, we will work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and other stakeholders to revisit the 2010 Electoral Act to address issues arising from its operation ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in some states and the 2015 general elections.”

The Senate chief added that in line with the Upper House’s long-term goals and the persistent high turnover of parliamentarians, the sixth National Assembly enacted the National Legislative Institute Act, 2011 for capacity-building for our legislators.

He said steps had been taken towards the immediate take-off of the institute envisioned to provide the capacity-building needs of the National Assembly and the states.

Addressing journalists after the sitting, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, said Mark’s speech would serve as a roadmap for the seventh Senate, especially as it underscored issues of security and constitutional review.

On why presidential nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioners in INEC and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission ICPC) were referred to relevant committees, which were yet to be inaugurated, Ndoma-Egba said the panels had been in place and that what remained was appointing senators to man them.

He said the number of states to be created, where and the criteria to be used would depend on national consensus.

The REC nominees are Sylvester Okey Ezeani from Anambra State, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike (Imo), Sam Olugbadebo Olumekun (Ondo), Prof. Istifanus Ishaku Dafwang (Plateau), Mrs. Gesila Khan (Bayelsa), Mr. Samuel Madaki of Taraba and Dr. Gabriel Ada (Cross River).

Prof. Mohammed Tabi’u of Jigawa State was dropped and replaced with Minkaila Abdulahi.

The nominees for ICPC are Alhaji Abdullahi Ado Bayero from North-West, Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami (North-Central), Ekpo Una Owo Nta (South-South), Prof. Olu Aina (South-West) and Julie Onum-Nwariaku (South-East).

All nominees are for fresh appointments.