National Assembly Crisis: 'Police IG Did The Right Thing' - Doyin Okupe
The Presidency today has backed the Inspector – General of
Police, Suleiman Abba who ordered
heavily armed security operatives to block the National Assembly Complex
where Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and other lawmakers were prevented from gaining
access to the House to preside over the deliberation on the extension of emergency
rule in the North-East, Vanguard reports.
According to the Presidency, the Inspector- General of
Police was not only carrying out his constitutional functions in his capacity
as the number one police officer, but also carried out the assignment to
protect lives and property, just as it described yesterday’s incident as
unfortunate.
Addressing Journalists yesterday, Senior Special Assistant
to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe who noted that Suleiman
Abba never invaded the National Assembly, but barricaded it said, “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.”
” The whole scenario at the National Assembly today as we
witnessed is rather unfortunate. 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.”
