directonpc
David Mark shuts down National Assembly
Nov 20 2014 at 03:56pm
The Senate President, David Mark, has ordered that the
National Assembly complex be shut down till next week
Tuesday, 25th November, 2014. This was as a result of
the confusion that engulfed the complex earlier today.
Scores of State Security Service, SSS, personnel have
taken over the National Assembly ahead of a crucial
House of Representatives sitting today, in an enhanced
security operations one official said is aimed at denying
the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, access to the complex.
Mr. Tambuwal’s spokesperson told PREMIUM TIMES
the move may be aimed at stopping the speaker.
PREMIUM TIMES cannot independently verify that
claim yet.
Mr. Tambuwal angered the ruling government of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by defecting to the
opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.
The speaker adjourned the House shortly after his
defection on October 28, and announced a resumption
schedule for December in what was believed an
attempt to frustrate any move by his former party to
unseat him.
The PDP has the majority in the House.
The House announced this week it will reconvene
Thursday to discuss President Goodluck Jonathan’s
request to extend emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa
and Yobe States, where Boko Haram attacks have
intensified.
Thursday’s plenary would be the first since Mr.
Tambuwal’s defection.
On Tuesday, the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila,
told PREMIUM TIMES his party, APC, expected the PDP
to abide by a court ruling which that the status quo be
maintained in the House, meaning the speaker retains
his seat.
But early Thursday, a large contingent of SSS
personnel took over the sprawling National Assembly
complex and sealed off all entry points leaving only one
open where everyone going in is thoroughly frisked and
many, turned back.
The spokesperson for the Speaker, Imam Imam, told
PREMIUM TIMES that move is likely aimed at stopping
Mr. Tambuwal from entering the assembly to preside
as speaker.
“All the entrances are locked and only one gate is used
and everyone is totally frisked before being allowed in
and only one person is allowed into the Assembly from
any vehicle, others are asked to go back,” he said.
Mr. Imam however assured that Mr. Tambuwal will
make it to the Assembly and preside over today’s
sitting.
