Senate President, David Mark on Thursday shut the National Assembly following the invasion of the complex by the police.
Mark, who is also the Chairman of the National Assembly, said the Senate and House of Representatives will remain shut till next Tuesday.
He described the invasion of the assembly as “very unfortunate.”
The convoy of the Senate President, David Mark, who attempted to pass through the gate that links the National Assembly from the State House, was delayed for about 30 minutes.
An obviously enraged Mark, after gaining entry, openly confronted the Chief Security Officer of the National Assembly to find out who invited the police since he, as the Chairman, reserved the right to make such request.
The senate president met with his principal officers, shortly after he was allowed to enter, he also held a brief discussion with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, who visited him over the development.
Mark left with Ihedioha to the lower chamber when they were informed that the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, was already there.
Some angry House of Representatives members, visibly angry over the treatment meted out on Tambuwal by security operatives, shouted at Mark and Ihedioha, and blamed them for the woes that befell the embattled speaker.
Mark went back to his office and left moments after to the chamber where his colleagues were already protesting their maltreatment by the security operatives.
Most of them said they were forced to treck a distance of 200 metres from the main gate to the their offices because they were not allowed to enter the premises with their vehicles.
Mark, at the resumption of plenary, ordered the shut down of both chambers of the National Assembly over the unfortunate development.
He said, Because of the very unfortunate incident in the National Assembly this morning, I have decided to shut down the National Assembly, both the Senate and House of Representatives, until Tuesday next week.
We will also invite the Inspector-General of Police (to appear before us) here on Tuesday, there will be no business in the National Assembly today. It remains shut till Tuesday ( next week).
He condemned the application of maximum force on parliamentarians and civil servants who were in their respective offices to do their duties.
Mark also hinted that the senate had asked the service chiefs billed to appear before it on Thursday, to make it on Tuesday next week as further deliberations on the emergency rule had been suspended to the next legislative date.
Senators Ali Ndume, Olusola Adeyeye and Ehigie Uzamere in an interview with journalists condemned the development describing it as a clampdown on the parliament. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Hand this nation back to the British. We are too uncivilized and too undisciplined to run a country. Also too corrupt, don't forget.
ReplyDeleteazzin ehn.....i seriously agree wit yu,wat a shame,..but is our president watchin d news?sein all dis various nonsense developmnts?......i reserv my comment
DeleteWelcome to the new Nigeria Senators. As it was in Ekiti, so is it at NASS. This is nothing but impunity.
ReplyDelete"The ballot is stronger than the bullet"
ReplyDeleteNo intimidation shall succumb this movt Nigeria is long overdue for accountable leadership.....At this point we don't care anymore!!!
The Britons taught us corruption
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is the height of impunity! President Goodluck Jonathan is taking steps that will lead to his defeat every second of the day. I sincerely hope the damage will not be too much for the incoming administration. He lost the votes of 50% of the neutral today. He is likely to go down as the worst president to have presided over this nation.
ReplyDeleteWho are my people you unpatriotic Nigerian. Where is decorum in jumping fence like common thieves. Where is morality in Tambuwal grandstanding as minority speaker of the house. Where is patriotism in their display. Could you spot any honour in the actions of our supposed honourable(s)?It is a shame to say the least.
ReplyDeleteGEJ should be left out the brigandage in the house. You must think again if you believe that PDP will sit back and watch minority APC produce the speaker. It will justify the nonsense happening in Ekiti. Tambuwal is very unpatriotic. He would have been my hero if he stepped down after deffecting rather than throw the house of assembly into this kind of pandemonium. I agree that the police did not do well but lawmakers should know better that two wrongs can never make one right. It is unfortunate,
u hav said it all tank u.
ReplyDeletewhat do you expect militant are in charge
ReplyDeleteGEJ is the best President Nigeria ever Have leave him out of this irat group APC lead by Tambuwal this is the beginning of fight in the Nation. We have reach a point to call for a referendum vote to ascertain whether we can continue as one Nigeria or secede for peace to reign among ethnic groups in this country--Hmmmmm What Gadafi saw is coming to fulfill can you see it now be4 2015-secession is sure to come.
ReplyDeleteThe administration of Nigeria should be granted to China cos we have uncivilized leaders in the govt sector. Look at Dubai today, it took 5yrs for the govt to Transform UAE.
ReplyDeletealots would disagree with me.but the fact still remains tha the fution of Nigeria as an entity was a great mistake.these are the consequencies.
ReplyDeleteExactly,till GEJ calls for Referendum,that will be the only solution to the problem of this entity called Nigeria..........GEJ should divert this coming election to Referendum so that we will all decide our faith.....
Delete