The national assembly complex in Abuja has been teargassed by the police as Aminu Tambuwal, speaker of the house of representatives, tried to reconvene the lower chamber.
He had earlier been denied entry into the complex, but he was smuggled inside by other members of the hose.
Before his arrival, officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) had taken over the assembly, putting visitors through thorough scrutiny ahead of the reconvention of the federal house of representatives.
The house is reconvening to deliberate on the request of the president for an extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states.
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When Tambuwal arrived the assembly complex few minutes before 11am, policemen attempted to prevent his entry, firing canisters of tear gas into the air and at the speaker, as lawmakers attempted to smuggle him into the national assembly.
It was a war-like situation, with house members marching behind the speaker after he was stopped from entering the gate.
Lawmakers began chanting “No police! No police! No police!” while everyone, including Tambuwal, scuttled for fresh air in the tear-gassed assembly complex.
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Many of the lawmakers, including Kawu Sumaila, deputy minority leader of the house (pictured above) had to scale the assembly gate to gain access to the building.
Tambuwal has been at loggerheads with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since October 28 when he announced his defection from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) shortly after securing adjournment of the house to December.
12 comments
Anarchy is brewing o
Thought Tambuwal is the still the Speaker? Then why prevent him from entering the House? Why do we have these lawless goons as our leaders? Why will the police disrupt the re convening of the House? The Nigeria government and police should adhere to the laws of the land & stop this show of shame that won’t even fit into medieval times.
First Ekiti State and now National Assembly. The strongman politics in Nigeria where the IGP is involved in acts against the rule of law with the support of GEJ.
Nigeria Police beware of 2moro
This administration led by GEJ has always prided itself as one predicated on the rule of law. The desperation of the President for a second tenure had pitched him against what rule of law stands for. It is a shame as the international community watches as we display acts only good for the stone age.
Preventing the speaker from entering the house was just a cheap way of impeachment in view.
I dey laugh o.
Preventing the speaker from entering the chambers/house was just a cheap impeachment in view. I dey laugh o
I hail the Hon. Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal for defying PDP and its police…one cannot be too gentlemanly with these people.
This is ludicrous to say the least. Known Politicians like Tambuwal always get stronger in the face of intimidation of this nature. Just in 2010, the Cabal rose against Jonathan in an attempt to bar him from becoming the acting President. He swelled through the gang up and emerged the Ag. President in 2010, substantive President in 2011 and still declared in 2014!!!!! Tambuwal may just be getting stronger after all. And for the security boys, tomorrow is always another day.
Jonathan desperation for second is responsible for this madness and impunity,but Nemesis will catch up with whosoever is involved in this madness
The whole world is watching the show of shame of President Jonathan and his military wing formerly known as Nigeria Police.
Jonathan must be impeached. …