The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives have announced their decision to convene a joint session on June 12 to commemorate Democracy Day. The session is scheduled to take place at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this announcement at the conclusion of plenary on Wednesday, following an extended closed-door session among the senators. He confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has graciously accepted an invitation to attend this significant joint session in person.

To ensure the smooth execution of the Democracy Day event, a committee has been formed to finalize the arrangements. Senate President Akpabio disclosed that key figures from the Senate, including the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), and the Chairman of Senate Services, Senator Sunday Karimi, will collaborate with their counterparts in the House of Representatives. This joint committee, which will also include three members from the House of Representatives, is tasked with expediting plans and defining the agenda for the special session in the upcoming days.

Following the announcement, the Senate adjourned its plenary sitting until Tuesday, June 17, to allow senators to observe the forthcoming Sallah celebrations with their families and constituents. In a related development, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, utilized the occasion of the administration's second anniversary to commend President Bola Tinubu's performance. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau asserted that the country is on a trajectory towards prosperity under President Tinubu's leadership.

Senator Barau elaborated that President Tinubu has effectively laid the groundwork for restoring Nigeria's past glories. He acknowledged that the administration inherited significant challenges but praised the President for introducing programs and policies aimed at overcoming these hurdles. \"The country in the past 24 months under the able leadership of President Tinubu, the visionary leader of our time, has been repositioned,\" Barau stated, emphasizing the President's genuine efforts in addressing the nation's primary challenges of security and economy.

Highlighting specific achievements in security, Senator Barau noted, \"We know we are not where we want to be, but the journey has started. It’s a work in progress.\" He commended the neutralization of hundreds of terrorists, particularly in the North West geopolitical zone, and the recovery of areas previously considered inaccessible. Furthermore, he pointed to the significant reduction in kidnapping incidents on the Abuja/Kaduna Road and a decline in the activities of 'unknown gunmen' terrorizing the Southeast. While acknowledging recent attacks by Boko Haram in parts of Borno State, Barau maintained that the group had been almost completely eradicated prior to these incidents.

Senator Barau also expressed optimism regarding the establishment of development commissions across various geopolitical zones, including the North West, North Central, South East, South West, and South-South. He believes these commissions will play a crucial role in accelerating development throughout the country.

Despite these positive assessments, the Senate plenary on Wednesday also addressed the alarming resurgence of insecurity in several parts of northern Nigeria. Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, brought to light the deteriorating security situation in his constituency.

Senator Karimi informed his colleagues that no fewer than 30 individuals had been kidnapped in the Kogi-West Senatorial District within the past week alone. This wave of abductions occurred while Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Yagba-West Local Government Area of Kogi State, who was abducted on May 15, remains missing. Senator Karimi, who also serves as the Chairman of Senate Services, emphasized the daily challenge posed by insecurity.

Attributing the rise in insecurity to \"disgruntled elements,\" Senator Karimi suggested these individuals are collaborating to cause widespread problems and undermine the perceived achievements of President Bola Tinubu's administration. \"We can’t allow disgruntled elements to pull the country down because of their interest,\" he stated, drawing a parallel to the political climate preceding the 2015 elections, where threats were allegedly made if certain factions did not win. He called for unity with security agencies to identify and counter these disruptive forces.

The Senate also debated a motion concerning farmer-herder conflicts in Munga Lelau and Maigami, located in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. The motion, presented by Senator Isa Lau, detailed that clashes which began on May 23 had resulted in the deaths of many villagers, the destruction of 47 houses, and the displacement of approximately 200 people.

In response to the crisis in Taraba, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to promptly dispatch relief materials to the affected victims. Furthermore, the red chamber called upon security agencies to enhance security measures along the common boundaries of Taraba, Plateau, and Bauchi states. This measure aims to curtail the free movement of criminal elements and prevent further escalation of violence in the region.