- Senate Back in Session
By Abdul Rahman Aliagan
A group of hoodlums led by the suspended Senator, Ovie Omo-Agege stormed the Upper Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly during its Wednesday, April 18, plenary session and carted away the mace which is the symbol of authority and power of the legislatives. The meeting was on for about 21 minutes when the thugs gained access into the venue and stole the mace.
Giving the intervention of the security apparatus of the National Assembly, the symbol of authority and power of the National Assembly was regained. This is contained in a statement issued by Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.
He said: “The Senate has resumed plenary about 15 minutes ago after coming out of an executive (closed door) session where the earlier incident of forceful removal of the mace was deliberated upon.
“The session is holding with the mace, the official symbol of authority firmly in place, and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, presiding.
One of the hoodlums who carted away Senate mace Wednesday
“The Senate also decided that it will get to the roots of this sad assault on democracy and an obvious act of treason which the seizure of the mace by some armed hodlums represents. The hoodlums severely attacked some members of staff of the National Assembly, particularly the Sergeant-at-Arms on Chamber duties.”
The statement reads further: “The Senate has mandated the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Kpotum Ibrahim and Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Mallam Lawan Daura, to retrieve the mace stolen by the hoodlums within 24 hours.
“At the moment, some House of Representives members led by Deputy Speaker. Hon. Yusuf Lasun, are in the Senate chambers in solidarity visits. The session is presently live on NTA Channel 10.
“We are determined to conclude all matters slated on the Order Paper for today, even if it means us sitting until 6pm”, says Ekweremadu. It concluded.