Protesters storm n’assembly over Ndume’s suspension

Supporters of senator Ali Ndume have barricaded the entrance of the national assembly in protest of his suspension from the senate.

Ndume represents Borno south constituency.

Over 200 persons, carrying placards and banners, on Tuesday morning stormed the national assembly complex to demand Ndume’s reinstatement.

One banner read: “Southern Borno has been suspended from Nigeria’s political space.”

Security operatives were forced to lock the gates of the national assembly after the protesters blocked the entrance.

Ndume was last week suspended for six months for calling for investigations into forgery allegations made against the senate president, Bukola Saraki, and the certificate controversy surrounding Kogi senator, Dino Melaye.

Saraki was accused of harassing Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of customs, because the agency seized a vehicle belonging to him.

Melaye was said to have forged a certificate of his degree from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Both were eventually cleared by the senate committee on ethics and privileges.

However, the senate deemed Ndume’s action as embarrassing and suspended him based on the recommendation of the ethics committee.

Two days later, Borno governor, Kashim Shettima, led a delegation to the senate president over the matter.

Saraki on Monday said he lacks the power to reverse the suspension of Ndume.

He made the comments after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the state house, Abuja.