The Anchor gathered that the Speaker was barred at the second gate, apparently to prevent him from presiding over the sitting of the House of Reps which had reconvened at the insistence of the President to deliberate on the extension of the emergency rule in some states ravaged by terrorists.
The Anchor gathered that tear gas canisters were fired by security agents after the Speaker had alighted from his vehicle. He was seen using a handkerchief to cover his nose shortly after.
Meanwhile, while the drama lasted, it was gathered that Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Tambuwal's deputy was already in the chamber.
Tambuwal angered the powers that be with his defection to the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress. The incident occurred barely 24 hours after the APC Chairman and Governor Rotimi Amaechi led some protesters to grind activities as the blocked the gates of the Police Headquarters, Abuja.
Witnesses disclosed that after Tambuwal had been barred by the security men, APC members in the chambers came out and with the crowd that had gathered, there was a confrontation with security forces necessitating the use of tear gas, apparently to push the crowd back. Meanwhile, in the confusion, Hon. Tambuwal was smuggled inside. Some of lawmakers had to scale the fence to gain entry.
Senate President David Mark ordered the immediate closure of the Natrional Assembly and adjourned all sittings till Tuesday to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
Police Force PRO, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report.
Photo: Victor Oluwasegun/ The Nation
Comments
Post a Comment