Speaker of the House of Repesentatives, Aminu Tambuwal was prevented from entering the Assembly by security operatives, but his colleagues broke through the police barricade to allow him gain entry. Many members of the house also scaled the gate to gain entry.
Police fired teargas several times into the premises of the National Assembly, causing pandemonium. The chaos forced the Senate President to order the closure of the assembly till next Tuesday while the Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman has been ordered to appear at the Senate to justify his action.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Okupe said that the police acted in accordance with their duties of defending the country’s constitution. According to him, the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba should not be castigated as he was only making sure that the laws of the land were not flouted.
His words: “Assumption (on whether the police boss was acting on instruction from the President) should stop. The IGP is a very senior officer of the government and his duties are to enforce the law.
“He doesn’t need to get the villa to enforce the law. He is not a house boy. Though he works under the government but he is expected to defend the law. IGP has the duty to enforce the law.
“He acted in the discharge of his duty. The IGP didn’t invade the assembly. It is wrong to assume that.”
Okupe however described the situation at the National Assembly as unfortunate, and appealed to those concerned to always put the interest of the nation first in all their dealings
He said: “We wish that at all times; national interest should supersede all other interests including personal and political interests.
“From Government perspective, the overriding concern today is the issue of insurgency which necessitated the request by Mr President that the National Assembly considers an extension of the State of Emergency to give the Security forces the needed legal framework and space for a successful prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorists.
“It is our hope that the Honorable members of the House of Representatives will use the period of adjournment to resolve all matters so that they can resume to deliberate and act on issues of National importance.”
The police however claimed it sent its men to the premises of the National Assembly after it learnt of a planned invasion of ‘hoodlums and thugs’ through an intelligence report.
Police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a statement said: “Consequently, the Police cordoned the area and began screening of all members and visitors alike.
“In the course of this lawful exercise, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal CFR, arrived the venue with a motley crowd, who broke the cordon, assaulted the Police and evaded due process and the Police had the duty to restore order and normalcy, using lawful means”.
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