By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News
The saga that took place in the Nigeria National Assembly has continued to bring global insult on both the executive arms of the government, and the lawmakers who were seen jumping the fence.
The problem started when the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) matched to the Police Headquarters in Abuja to protest against the federal government. The office of the police was locked down for two hours while the APC leadership, including the National Chairman of the party, Chief Odigie Oyegun, General Muhammadu Buhari, the controversial governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, party supporters and other sympathizers were outside.
The protesters also went with ambulance in case the police bounce on them or for other unexpected accident, to portray a sign of readiness for its objective.
According to the Abuja Ag. Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Chijioke Sunny Ojukwu disclosed in a press statement that the protesters did everything to attract the rots of the police but the force applied complete restraint and after which, and the protesters left.
The police also claimed that the incident impelled them to gather some intelligence which later show that the protest at the force headquarter was he beginning as Amaechi was overheard saying that if APC did not win 2015 election, parallel government will be formed. The Police also claimed that, the opposition party was planning to invade Nigeria Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Assembly and lastly, Presidential Villa.
Mr. Ojukwu also disclosed that they were present at NASS to provide security against destruction of public properties and hoodlums who they have heard may come in.
The video released by the Nigeria Police force on Saturday showed that the search and pass started about 400 metre away from the National Assembly. Both public and private vehicles were searched before allowing to go through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhkWsZ-pxeY
It could also be recalled that Mr. Ojukwu mentioned in his press statement that members of the senate came through their gates, searched and calmly gained access to the premises, and some members of the House of Representatives who came earlier followed the due process and entered too.
The Presidency backed the action of the police, saying that the duty of the Nigeria police is to protect the lives and properties of the nation, and to maintain order. According to one of the aides of the President, Doyin Okupe, he reminded that the police does not need the instruction of the President to carry out his civic duty contrary to the believe by many APCs and Nigerians that President Jonathan engineered the entire drama.
In the video, the agitation started when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal came with his entourage. His men were seen hitting a vehicle who were being searched at the gate to go in for the speaker to come in. People were being pushed and one of the drivers used his vehicle to push a policeman at the gate while others forced their way in.
Tambuwal was at this time very calm and was being protected by his followers as they matched towards the gate. Meanwhile, due to the hold up, he was forced to step down few metres away from the first gate.
Judging from the video, the second gate was shut the moment the police observed protocols had been breached. Aminu Tambuwal was not the only one who was not searched, the vehicles behind him speed along as he passed the first gate without being allowed to be searched.
The believe that Tambuwal was the target of the invasion was seen when he got to the second gate and the policemen quickly locked down the gate. This action stared up the anger of his followers and requested for the gate to be opened. Tambuwal was still very calm, he identified himself as speaker of the house and asked to speak with the top officers in charge of the search. He asked several times but to no avail as one of the officer asked him to hold. Minutes passed and there was no response, the speaker gave a go ahead to bring down the gate and that led to his followers doing everything they can to breakthrough.
Embarrassed Tambuwal who couldn’t hold it any longer was seen jumping through the gate as some of his aides supports him with the Agbada. The Mini gate was later opened after the police observed they could no longer hold on to the angry lawmakers.
Some were heard shouting and insulting the federal government, accusing FG of masterminding the entire lockdown. As soon as the finally gained entrance, a group of men were seen asking them to go back but it seems it was too late as the lawmakers were all out of their minds.
Some lawmakers who felt humiliated were heard insulting President Goodluck Jonathan for the action, some said they were citizens of the country too, others said the Peoples Democratic Party was a dead party.
Few minutes later, the Senate President stepped in to see his colleague, Tambuwal who he heard was being humiliated. But he wasn’t lucky enough as the angry lawmakers who questioned his presence in the chamber bounce on him.
Nigerians on the other hand have been reacting on the issue. The country that is already divided due to the killings in the North is further at the brink since the division and saga in the House of Assembly.
The United State of America had predicted that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015 and few months to the said year, turmoil, killings, division, greed and many more have taken over the country which could facilitate the prediction.
Speculation also filtered yesterday that the Inspector Gneral of Police, Abba Sulieman was whitwashed by the disappointed Presidency for not able to stop the speaker at the gate and then commanded him, after several insults on his office, to arrest the speaker.
Later, the IGP cleared the air that there was no such instruction as no one would arrest anybody unless the situation warrants it.
On the other hand, Aminu responded to the threat to arrest him, saying that he was not scared of arrest. He added that he is just the speaker of the House and not above the law. He assured the police if he is invited for questioning, he will gladly honour the invitation.
Yesterday, another invasion took place in the All Progressives Congress office in Lagos. The office was invaded by a group of DSS and the soldiers who claimed that they were working on a tip that one of the chieftains of the APC, and a former governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu was printing voters card in the office.
Tension has risen since the declaration of the President to rerun for the 2015 general election. He has been sued by a group of lawyers to stop him from running. Meanwhile the killings in the North escalated and the ceasefire agreement which almost brought smile to the face of Nigerians was suddenly halted for unknown reason.
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The National Assembly"s Saga: Who"s fault is it? (Full Video)
