Ondo South senatorial aspirant, Kayode Fakuyi, has promised to seek legislative action that would make it possible for private security guards to carry firearms like AK-47s.
Mr Fakuyi disclosed this while stating his ambition to succeed Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents the Ondo South senatorial district in the National Assembly.
Mr Fakuyi, a member of the All Progressives Congress, is seeking to replace Mr Ibrahim, who was recently nominated by President Bola Tinubu as an ambassador.
Reflecting on the spate of insecurity in the country, Mr Fakuyi commended Mr Tinubu’s administration strides, noting that he will push for the amendment of the Nigeria Police Act, Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, the Firearms Act 2004, and the Private Guard Companies Act of 1986 to enable the private use of AK-47 rifles.
The aspirant stated, “When you look at the recent actions of Mr President, they give me hope. I like the idea of a multi-layer policing system. It will solve many problems. The security structures at the sub-national level should be strengthened and supported.
“I believe the Nigeria Police Act and Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution should be amended. When I get to the Senate, I will push for the amendment of the Firearms Act, 2004, and the Private Guard Companies Act of 1986. I believe private security guards should be allowed to carry AK-47 rifles. They are well-documented and well-trained. Criminals have AK-47 rifles, anyway.”
Evaluating the performance of federal lawmakers, Mr Fakuyi described the Senate president and the speaker as experienced lawmakers, hailing their ability to navigate the two chambers from turbulence to stability.
“However, they need to check the surge of establishment bills. Senator Adams Oshiomole has been the lone voice against the creation of needless agencies and the duplication of institutes. I salute his courage,” he noted. “We cannot continue to load the overhead cost of the nation. We need more money to fund capital projects. Imagine the government is still struggling to implement the Steve Oronsaye report on the restructuring of agencies and the reduction of the cost of governance. Yet, the National Assembly passes establishment bills every day.”
Commenting on Nigeria’s current debt profile and Mr Tinubu’s administration’s knack for borrowing, Mr Fakuyi promised to advise the Senate leadership to always allow the executive to defend its loan ambitions.
He stated, “About the debt-to-GDP ratio, it will show you Nigeria is doing better than America, Japan, and many countries. What that means is that you have the leverage to continue to borrow money, provided it is for critical infrastructural development.
“Let us talk about basic issues. You know I am on the street. Many Nigerians see the National Assembly as a clearing house for loan requests by the executive. This is not good for the image of the National Assembly. I am concerned. The leadership of the National Assembly should be concerned too. If I am in a position to advise the Senate President, I will tell him to allow the executive to defend loan proposals. There are many smart people in the executive, in the President’s team. They can defend it.”
To gain public trust and improve the general perception of the National Assembly, Mr Fakuyi noted that it “will not be out of place, if the Senate conducts public hearings on loan requests” and “allow the executive to defend (it), let civil society organisations make contributions, and let relevant stakeholders participate”.
Urging the committee on constitutional review at the national assembly to work with the state governors, Mr Fakuyi stated that working relationships with state assemblies alone cannot make critical amendments possible.
“The committees on constitutional review have been active, but time is running against them. They have spent about 30 months already. Yet, no single bill has been sent to the State Assemblies. They should send constitutional amendment bills that are ready to the State Assemblies. They don’t have to wait for everything.
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is a very important stakeholder. The governors wield unbelievable levels of influence on the state assemblies. The National Assembly needs the unconditional support of the governors. They need to bring the governors to the table,” he stated.
Stating his plans if elected, Mr Fakuyi said he was “big on systems and structures”, adding that his legislative focus will be on agriculture, solid minerals, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
“I am very big on systems and structures. That is the most sustainable way to achieve goals. I will set up a circuit like model that connects the 66 wards in Ondo South. This model will permit easy upload of information and concerns of my people, prompt feedback, and regular updates on my activities.”
“I will promote and protect the interests of my people and our communities in Ondo State. On the issue of sea incursion affecting many coastal communities in Ondo South, my people in Ayetoro, Obe-Nla, and other communities have lost their homes and means of livelihood. I really want to help out. I feel their pain,” Mr Fakuyi explained.
Recalling that Mr Tinubu had solved a similar case in Lagos, Mr Fakuyi said he would go beyond moving a motion on the floor of the Senate to taking the matter directly to the president, in a bid to get his advice and leadership.
“Whether you are a student or a teacher, trader or banker, young or old, we are ready to add value to you. When the Senate debates on constitutional review, federalism, devolution of power, electoral reforms, and other issues, my voice will be very loud. My main legislative focus will be agriculture, solid minerals, and small and medium-sized enterprises,” he noted.
