Tambuwa Police Withdrawal: APC, SANs, others blast Jonathan, PDP

The APC, the Progressives People Alliance, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria   on Thursday blasted   Jonathan and the PDP   for ordering the police to withdraw   Tambuwal’s security aides.

Specifically, the APC charged   Jonathan to show better understanding of democracy by restoring the police security details.

This was contained in a statement   by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja.

According to the party, the withdrawal of the speaker’s security details amounted to the usurpation of the role of the judiciary by the IG.

The party said this was more so bearing in mind that the question of the interpretation of Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution on which the   Police anchored its “illegal act” is currently before the courts for resolution.

The statement partly read, “For avoidance of doubt, the position, including the manner a person becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives is to be found in the constitution, and no constitutional provision or legislation says membership of the ruling or dominant party in the House is a pre-requisite.

“Furthermore as the number four citizen of Nigeria, the security details and apparatus attached to the person of the speaker are not based on his lineage, person and or political leaning. It is on account of the position and the protection required for that position and in Nigeria’s best interest.

“The APC rejects this challenge to democracy and modern society. We reject President Jonathan’s illegality and call for respect and compliance with the law.

“We reject this meddling in the affairs of the Legislature, especially given the resolution of   Jonathan and his close advisers yesterday at their meeting to ask the Deputy Speaker,   Emeka Ihedioha, to unlawfully reconvene the House before the adjourned date.”

Also, the APC Caucus in the House     described the withdrawal of the security details of the speaker as “incredulous.”

The caucus warned that   Jonathan would be held responsible should any harm befall Tambuwal.

Its Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila,   said, “The NPF does not belong to the PDP. More importantly, the Executive cannot determine for the legislature, an independent institution and arm of government who will head it or who its speaker should be.

“This is the height of impunity. It is ironic that the institution that appropriates and gives money to the police is the same institution being denigrated and abused by the same police.”

While the PDP Caucus   described the action as unnecessary, the speaker’s office said it was as surprised as Nigerians.

The   Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor, who spoke for the PDP Caucus, warned that there should be no external interference in the defection of the speaker.

Ogor said, “It is totally uncalled for. Let members be allowed to deal with the defection of the speaker by themselves.

“We are fully ready to handle it and I assure you that as soon as we resume, we will take care of it.”

Imam had before the statement he signed on behalf of Tambuwal, said they resumed on Thursday   to find out that the police personnel attached to the speaker had been withdrawn.

“We came to work this morning and what we found was that all the security men did not report for duty. We are puzzled but that is the situation,” Imam stated.

The Progressive Peoples Alliance while condemning the withdrawal of security operatives, advised the House   to challenge the action in court.

Its National Chairman , Mr. Peter Ameh, said, “There are people who were elected into the two chambers of the National Assembly and they left, where were the Police then? Did the Police withdraw their security details? Let us not take sides; the Police is meant for all, to protect every citizen of this country.”

Also, SANs like Femi Falana, Yusuf Ali   and Emeka Ngige   flayed the police action, saying it was against the law   and portended danger for the country’s democracy.

Falana advised   the acting   the IG to immediately   restore them, reminding him   of previous judicial decisions cautioning the Police against taking sides with political interest groups.

He said, “The police orderlies   were attached to the Speaker by virtue of his office and not on account of his office and not on account of his membership of the ruling party.

“The withdrawal of the orderlies by the police authorities is a partisan demonstration of abuse power.”

Ali   said, “To become the Speaker of the House of Representatives is by election by members of the House. Once you are elected, unless the House comes together to remove you, you remain the Speaker. At this moment his is still the Speaker because the House is not in session. He adjourned the House as the Speaker. 

The Police cannot take it upon themselves to begin to interpret the constitution.”

Similarly, Ngige said the police were being partisan, adding the Tambuwal ‘s defection should not attract such treatment from the security agency.

He said, “The IG cannot interpret the constitution because it is not a court of law. Unless a court declares his seat vacant that is when the removal of his security will arise. But if no court has made such a pronouncement the IG is throwing himself into the arena as a partisan person by removing his security.”

Senators Babafemi Ojudu; Robert Boroffice ; Kabiru Marafa and Olufemi Lanlehin also condemned the action of the police.

They said it was   dangerous for the nation’s democracy.