Security analyst Dayo Sobowale has accused the Nigerian Senate of failing in its oversight duties, arguing that rejecting scrutiny of military expenditure while lamenting rising insecurity reflects a deeper governance contradiction.
By A1NEWS International / June 2026
Abuja, Nigeria — Security analyst Dayo Sobowale has criticised the Nigerian Senate for what he describes as a contradiction in its handling of national security issues—expressing alarm over escalating kidnappings and attacks while resisting calls for a comprehensive audit of military and security spending.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Sobowale argued that legislative concern over insecurity is meaningless without institutional accountability over how security funds are allocated and utilized.
LAWMAKERS ACCUSED OF WEAK OVERSIGHT ROLE
Sobowale said the National Assembly has both the constitutional mandate and institutional power to demand transparency from security agencies, warning that failure to do so undermines democratic governance.
He maintained that lawmakers cannot distance themselves from responsibility while public funds continue to be expended on national security operations.
“Senate cannot demand security without accountability,” he said.
He added that expressions of concern without enforcement mechanisms amount to “talking at the moon,” insisting that oversight must go beyond rhetoric.
CALL FOR MILITARY EXPENDITURE SCRUTINY
The analyst faulted the Senate for rejecting proposals to audit military spending during recent debates on insecurity, arguing that such oversight is central to effective governance.
He said legislators should routinely interrogate how security budgets are implemented and whether allocated resources deliver measurable results.
“They should ask for accountability of military expenditure,” he stated.
According to him, failure to conduct such reviews weakens institutional checks and reduces public confidence in government response to insecurity.
DEMOCRATIC OVERSIGHT AND GLOBAL COMPARISONS
Sobowale referenced legislative practices in other democracies, particularly the United States, where Congress frequently questions defence and intelligence officials on operational decisions and budget performance.
He described such oversight as a standard democratic function rather than interference.
“That is accountability and democratic responsibility,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria’s legislature must adopt similar practices to strengthen governance and improve security outcomes.
“ABANDONMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY” CLAIM
The analyst further warned that excessive deference by lawmakers to the executive arm risks weakening institutional balance and accountability structures.
“It is abandonment of responsibility on the part of the legislature,” he stated.
Sobowale insisted that insecurity should not be treated as an issue solely within the executive’s domain, stressing that the National Assembly plays a critical role in shaping and monitoring security policy.
“It is wrong to act as if the responsibility stops with the presidency,” he added.
EXPANDING SECURITY CRISIS ACROSS REGIONS
According to Sobowale, Nigeria’s insecurity challenges have worsened due to delayed and inconsistent responses when attacks were initially concentrated in specific regions.
He warned that the failure to contain early stages of violence has now resulted in nationwide exposure.
“Everybody is now feeling the insecurity of everybody,” he said.
He argued that the spread of insecurity underscores the need for coordinated national oversight and stronger institutional accountability.
CALL FOR STRONGER LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Sobowale urged lawmakers to summon security chiefs for questioning and demand detailed explanations on operational effectiveness and resource deployment.
He insisted that accountability structures must be strengthened if Nigeria is to reverse current security trends.
“They can call the military chiefs to task,” he said.
The analyst’s remarks highlight growing public debate over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s legislative oversight of security spending amid persistent violence and kidnappings.
While the Senate continues to express concern over insecurity, critics like Sobowale argue that without rigorous accountability mechanisms, such concerns risk remaining symbolic rather than transformative.
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