The Office of the National Security
Adviser (ONSA) has debunked the report that the NSA, Col. Mohammed Sambo
Dasuki (rtd.) after consultation with the Vice President, Arch. Namadi
Sambo, ordered for the arrest of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal in the attack on
Policemen and the disturbance of public peace at the National Assembly.
Also, it has come to light that the threat of impeachment of President
Jonathan by some members of the House of Representatives following last
week Thursday’s debacle in which the police barred and tear-gassed the
Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, in the precinct of the House, may be a hoax
after all.
Jonathan by some members of the House of Representatives following last
week Thursday’s debacle in which the police barred and tear-gassed the
Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, in the precinct of the House, may be a hoax
after all.
THISDAY checks reveal that the aggrieved members contemplated the move
against the president out of annoyance about what happened to the
Speaker, some opposition principal officers, and themselves.
against the president out of annoyance about what happened to the
Speaker, some opposition principal officers, and themselves.
“It was a spur of the moment kind of thing. It was an angry reaction to
what they considered as humiliation and abuse of our rights by the
police,” a member who was involved in the confusion but preferred
anonymity told THISDAY.
what they considered as humiliation and abuse of our rights by the
police,” a member who was involved in the confusion but preferred
anonymity told THISDAY.
“We were really angry when what happened that day happened. So, we all
went into the chambers in a state of mind that was beclouded with anger
and we sought revenge by wanting to take on the president. But before we
dispersed the tension has subsided.
went into the chambers in a state of mind that was beclouded with anger
and we sought revenge by wanting to take on the president. But before we
dispersed the tension has subsided.
“I don’t think we will re-visit the issue again when we resume,” another lawmaker explained.
It was learnt that after the House went into an executive session last
Thursday, some of the members, bristling with anger from their encounter
with the police, saw the whole episode as being orchestrated by the
presidency. They, therefore, wanted to raise a motion for the
impeachment of the president.
It was learnt that after the House went into an executive session last
Thursday, some of the members, bristling with anger from their encounter
with the police, saw the whole episode as being orchestrated by the
presidency. They, therefore, wanted to raise a motion for the
impeachment of the president.
However, Tambuwal, after soothing frayed nerves of his colleagues, appealed to them set aside the matter.
“The Speaker told us that if the House toes the line of those urging it
to commence with the process of removing the president, then it would
only overheat the polity; considering the fact that the 2015 election is
just around the corner,” an aide to a principal officer who was among
those who scaled the barred gate told THISDAY.
to commence with the process of removing the president, then it would
only overheat the polity; considering the fact that the 2015 election is
just around the corner,” an aide to a principal officer who was among
those who scaled the barred gate told THISDAY.
Whether true or false, the reality on ground is that some members
favourably disposed to this issue had collected signatures of about 170
of their colleagues in their bid. It was also learnt that although they
have heeded the Speaker’s counsel in the interim, they may not do so
again if he or any of them; or the House collectively, is put in the
line of fire again.
favourably disposed to this issue had collected signatures of about 170
of their colleagues in their bid. It was also learnt that although they
have heeded the Speaker’s counsel in the interim, they may not do so
again if he or any of them; or the House collectively, is put in the
line of fire again.
“Expect to see more fireworks from us when we resume if the presidency
or the police maltreat or arrest the Speaker,” a ranking member said.
or the police maltreat or arrest the Speaker,” a ranking member said.
Indication that the Speaker is yet to hear the last from the executive
arm emerged during the weekend when he issued a statement that he is
aware “that the Inspector General of Police has ordered that he be
invited to the Force Headquarters and that he be arrested if he
resisted.”
arm emerged during the weekend when he issued a statement that he is
aware “that the Inspector General of Police has ordered that he be
invited to the Force Headquarters and that he be arrested if he
resisted.”
Tambuwal, who said his attention was drawn to the matter by
publications in some media, said “he is a law abiding citizen of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria who has no immunity against arrest and
prosecution except privileges as may be provided by the Legislative
Powers and Privileges Act.”
publications in some media, said “he is a law abiding citizen of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria who has no immunity against arrest and
prosecution except privileges as may be provided by the Legislative
Powers and Privileges Act.”
He said he is “available, ready and willing to answer any lawful
invitation from any of the Security agencies on any matter for which
they may require his attention,” but expressed “dismay at the
unprofessional conduct of the Nigerian Police in the attempt to stop him
from accessing the House of Representatives chambers on November 20 to
preside over the Special Session of the House on the State of Emergency
Extension requested by Mr. President, for which he had recalled members
from their working recess.
invitation from any of the Security agencies on any matter for which
they may require his attention,” but expressed “dismay at the
unprofessional conduct of the Nigerian Police in the attempt to stop him
from accessing the House of Representatives chambers on November 20 to
preside over the Special Session of the House on the State of Emergency
Extension requested by Mr. President, for which he had recalled members
from their working recess.
Taking exception to the police rationale for their action, the
Speaker’s statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Imam Imam, reminded the
police “that as a public institution that provides common services for
all the arms of government, they must not allow themselves to be used by
one of the arms to undermine the others.”
Speaker’s statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Imam Imam, reminded the
police “that as a public institution that provides common services for
all the arms of government, they must not allow themselves to be used by
one of the arms to undermine the others.”
It appears the situation may become messy as the House insisted on the
Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, appearing before it in
person on Tuesday to explain what happened last week.
Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, appearing before it in
person on Tuesday to explain what happened last week.
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