No sooner had the three-hour meeting between the governor and the lawmakers ended than the invading thugs were said to have called the bluff of the heavily armed security operatives, including the police, civil defence and SSS, and attempted to descend on members of the PDP-dominated legislature.
While Al-Makura is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Assembly is dominated by the PDP.
The youths were said to have stormed the Assembly yesterday and hurled stones and other items at the lawmakers after Al-Makura appeared before the lawmakers.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Musa Mohammed, who announced the closure of the assembly complex in Lafia yesterday during a press conference in the presence of the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command , Mr. Shehu Umar, said the lawmakers will not sit until the safety of the members is guaranteed.
The police commissioner stated that the police would ensure that the masterminds of the crisis are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State government has disassociated itself from the invasion of the state Assembly by some thugs allegedly sponsored by the APC to beat up members alleged to be plotting the impeachment of the state governor, Tanko Al-Makura, saying it is undemocratic.
In a statement signed by Nasarawa State Commissioner of Information and Ethical Re-orientation, Hamza Elayo Mohammed, and made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday, the state government expressed regret at the action, saying that the development was uncalled for.
The statement reads in part: “At the session, the governor and members had an enlightened interaction during which Governor Al-Makura expressed delight at the manner proceedings were held.
“While the action of these hoodlums remains condemnable, the government strongly dissociates itself from such unprovoked acts and sympathizes with the Speaker and Honourable members over the sad incident.”
Condemning the attack, Nasarawa government said the incident “coming shortly after a peaceful, frank and engaging session following appearance of the governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, on the invitation of the House, is highly regretted as it is by every means undemocratic for any group of persons to embark on violence in expressing their feelings”.
The statement added that Nasarawa government was “determined to promote and maintain peaceful co-existence among the citizenry as well as bring to book anyone who threatens the unity of its people no matter his or her position.
“Government calls on security agencies to investigate and bring to book all those found to have been directly involved or have supported this unwholesome and dastardly act. Government also warns that it will not condone such acts which are capable of derailing the country’s democracy as well as causing disharmony among the people of this state”, it further noted.
No comments:
Post a Comment