Scores of State Security Service, SSS,
personnel have taken over the National
Assembly ahead of a crucial House of
Representatives sitting today, in an
enhanced security operations one official
said is aimed at denying the speaker,
Aminu Tambuwal, access to the complex.
Mr. Tambuwal’s spokesperson told
PREMIUM TIMES the move may be aimed
at stopping the speaker.
PREMIUM TIMES cannot independently
verify that claim yet.
Mr. Tambuwal angered the ruling
government of the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, by defecting to the opposition
All Progressives Congress, APC.
The speaker adjourned the House shortly
after his defection on October 28, and
announced a resumption schedule for
December in what was believed an
attempt to frustrate any move by his
former party to unseat him.
The PDP has the majority in the House.
The House announced this week it will
reconvene Thursday to discuss President
Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend
emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and
Yobe States, where Boko Haram attacks
have intensified.
Thursday’s plenary would be the first
since Mr. Tambuwal’s defection.
On Tuesday, the Minority Leader, Femi
Gbajabiamila, told PREMIUM TIMES his
party, APC, expected the PDP to abide by
a court ruling which that the status quo
be maintained in the House, meaning the
speaker retains his seat.
But early Thursday, a large contingent of
SSS personnel took over the sprawling
National Assembly complex and sealed off
all entry points leaving only one open
where everyone going in is thoroughly
frisked and many, turned back.
The spokesperson for the Speaker, Imam
Imam, told PREMIUM TIMES that move is
likely aimed at stopping Mr. Tambuwal
from entering the assembly to preside as
speaker.
“All the entrances are locked and only
one gate is used and everyone is totally
frisked before being allowed in and only
one person is allowed into the Assembly
from any vehicle, others are asked to go
back,” he said.
Mr. Imam however assured that Mr.
Tambuwal will make it to the Assembly
and preside over today’s sitting.
Details later!
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