by Isi Esene

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives today presided over a sitting of House member, albeit briefly.

This is following an encounter with the officers of the Nigerian Police Force who prevented him and his colleagues from gaining access into the House chambers. He was, however, later smuggled inside by his loyalists.

YNaija reached out via telephone to the Personal Assistant of the Speaker, Olu Jacobs, who described the situation as “very unfortunate”.

According to Jacobs: “As I am speaking to you, my eyes are watery. They threw tear gas directly at the lawmakers. Its a monumental tragedy, and the height of impunity.”

“Police officers stood guard and refused to allow us access into the complex, saying they were responding to directives from above. Even when the Speaker approached the officers and said, ‘My name is Aminu Tambuwal, let me inside’, they refused,” he added.

In a statement released by the Force spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, policemen were deployed to the Assembly ground after they received intelligence reports of a likely invasion of the House of Representatives by hoodlums and thugs.

According to the Police, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal “evaded due process and officers had the duty to restore order and normalcy using lawful means.”

Watch the video below:

Isime Esene