ABUJA – The National Assembly complex was on Thursday shut down to all activities following skirmishes between the police and the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Aminu Tambuwal.
The Senate President David Mark gave the order for the closure of activities in both chambers at Senate plenary.
Mark, who is also the Chairman of the National Assembly, expressed displeasure on the confrontation between the police and some lawmakers.
“in view of the unfortunate incident that happened this morning, I have no option than to shut down the National Assembly until Tuesday, Nov. 26’’.
“The National Assembly, including the House of Representatives and the Senate, has been shut down to all activities until Tuesday,’’ he said.
According to him, “the Inspector General of Police will appear before the senate on Tuesday to brief the Senate on the remote cause of the misunderstanding’’.
On consideration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension of the state of emergency for Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, Mark said the senate had invited the service chiefs to be briefed on the matter.
“You may recall we earlier invited the service chiefs in order to be guided on the true situation in the North-East before we consider the president’s request,’’ he said.
The meeting with the three service chiefs and the third attempt to consider the extension of emergency rule for the three states were aborted because of the crisis.
The gate of the National Assembly was shut down, thereby, preventing free flow of human traffic into the complex.
Some armed policemen deployed at the gate had for about 30 minutes prevented Tambulwal and other lawmakers from entering the complex.
The situation which led to open altercation among the security operatives, the Speaker and his supporters, spilled to unmanageable level, forcing a number of members to gain access by climbing the iron-gate.
The police immediately allowed the Speaker to gain entry when he tried to force his way like the rest of the lawmakers.
The situation, however, extended to the foyer of the main complex as police attempted dispersing people with the activation of a number of tear gas canisters that left many gasping for breath.
Speaking on the situation, Sen. Adeyeye Olusola (APC-Osun) described the trend as an attack on Nigerians.
“We arrived here this morning to see this mess, as if there is a plan to excommunicate everybody. It beats my imagination and the imagination of other lawmakers,’’ he said.
According to him, “the action of the police this morning amounts to an attack on the constitution and our collective sensibility as lawmakers and the entire people of Nigeria’’.
On his part, Sen. Ali Ndume (PDP-Borno) said “this is an ugly trend and must be condemned by all.
“We have come here this morning to discuss important national issues only to be harassed and tear-gassed by the police’’.
Also, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman Senate Committee on Information, said “we are undoubtedly worried by the incident but I can assure you that effort is on to clear the mess’’.
Meanwhile, Sen. Abdullahi Adama (PDP-Nasarawa) advises the authority to stabilise the polity as soon as possible, adding that “these different challenges we are experiencing could halt our hard earned democracy’’, (NAN)
