Pandemonium as Police Stop Tambuwal from Entering National Assembly Premises

Members of the House of Representatives climbing the National Assembly gate during a fracas at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday

Security operatives on Thursday blocked the motorcade of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, from gaining access into the National Assembly premises.

This forced Tambuwal to walk into the premises after the main gate to the complex was shut on him for about 30 minutes.

Tambuwal was, however, allowed to enter through a small gate after querying reasons for shutting him out.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and other members of House of Representatives locked out during a fracas at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday

”Gentlemen, my names are Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and I am the Speaker of this house.

“I am here as our constitution demands to go in and preside over the sitting of the house. Officers, I would like to know who the commanding officer is here.

“Can you identify me as the Speaker of this House?”

The policemen, however, remained mute as the speaker made enquiries.

Chaos continued after the speaker entered through a smaller gate while other lawmakers who were not allowed in resorted to scaling the fence.

As the lawmakers approached the lobby of the white house, which houses both chambers of the National Assembly, police threw tear gas.

This forced many people around to run for safety while the speaker was guided into the chamber by the APC lawmakers for an executive session.

The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, however, said while reacting to the incident that policemen were deployed to NASS premises to forestall breakdown of law following intelligence report that thugs planned to attack the representatives.