Members of the House of Representatives panel on police affairs, probing the invasion of the National Assembly by policemen on 20 November adjourned indefinitely today, when the man behind the mayhem, the inspector general of police, Abba Suleiman refused to recognise Aminu Tambuwal as the speaker of the lower chamber.
Suleiman repeatedly called the speaker Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal. Enraged panel members asked Suleiman to retract the disrespectful reference and address the Office of the Speaker properly.
Abba replied that the matter was before the court, and as such he could not comment on it.
Reacting, Chairman of the committee, Rep. Usman Kumo (Gombe-PDP) insisted that the speaker and his office must be respected and addressed accordingly.
Similarly, Rep. Hakeem Muniru (APC- Lagos) demanded that the IG must retract his statement of calling the Speaker “Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal “ or “I take my leave as I would deem this seating as an illegal one’’.
“I can’t participate in a hearing where the office of the speaker, through whose authority we are having this meeting, is not even recognised by an appointee of the executive,” he added.
Rep. Victor Nwokolo (PDP- Delta) said: “I agree with the earlier speaker on the issues at stake which have to do with the IG retracting his disrespectful statement about the office of the speaker.
Kumo told his colleagues that he would report back to the House what transpired and therefore adjourned the hearing until further notice.
Earlier, Abba had justified the invasion, claiming that he ordered a strengthening of the security around the National Assembly on Nov. 20 to prevent likely invasion of the premises by political thugs.
He said there was information that there would be mayhem and disruption of the normal conduct of activities in the assembly.
“The police high command directed the Commissioner of Police, FCT, to strengthen the security arrangement in the assembly, the police headquarters and the INEC headquarters.
“In the process of safeguarding the security of the National Assembly on the 20th of November, we collaborated with the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arm according to laid down procedures.
“Members were being asked to identify themselves before they could be allowed into the premises.
“The invasion of the National Assembly by large number of suspected thugs caused a reinforcement at the second gate. We saw how security at that gate was compromised and we are investigating the issue of teargas thrown at people,’’ Abba said.
Meanwhile, the Senate has set up a seven-man committee to investigate the 20 November fracas caused by the police.
The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, who presided over plenary, said it was necessary to carry out an investigation into the matter in order to prevent a recurrence.
He promised to continue to defend the sanctity of the National Assembly and democracy.
“What we want is to strengthen democracy in this country and whatever price we pay or whatever sacrifice we make to strengthen democracy, we will do so.
“We are appointing Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as the Chairman, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu as member, Victor Lar as member, Safiu Adegbenga Kaka as member, Paulinus Igwe as member, Jibrila Mohammed Bindo as member and Ehigie Uzamere as member.
“We want them to be very thorough, we want them to be very sincere and we want them to also bring the report as quickly as possible.“
The lawmakers, who expressed disappointment over the action of the Nigerian Police, unanimously accepted the setting up of the committee for proper investigation.
Senator Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom) called for a review of the National Assembly Service Act in order to arm the Sergeant-at-Arms to protect the legislature all over the country.
“It is events like this that make us look at our laws. I and a few of our colleagues are working on a Bill and I will pray the committee that we look at these things to come up with amendment to our laws, particularly, the National Assembly Service Act.
“That we create and elevate the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to allow them to bear arms because other parliaments in the world allow the Sergeant-at-Arms of their parliaments to bear arms.”