The Nigerian Senate President is the Chairman of the National Assembly.
The order, according to Mark became neccessary, in order to avert uncontrollable and embarrassing situation. He said both Houses would formally resume plenary on Tuesday, November 25, 2014.
A source say that Tambuwal and his loyalists anger and eventual outburst heightened when they were stopped from entering the chamber even as the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were allowed into the chamber.
“Nearly 20 members of the oppostion party, loyal to the Speaker, had to scale the fence into the chamber, overpowered the security men, forced Tambuwal in for the sitting, thus, preventing Emeka Ihedioha from presiding over the sitting”, our source disclosed.
In the midst of the tension, Senate President, David Mark however held a brief meeting with Speaker Tambuwal, before announcing the closure of the legislative arm of government, till Tuesday.
It could be revealed that Tambuwal’s trouble started since his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Prior to adjourning plenary for one month on October 28, Tambuwal had formally announced his defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Before I hit the gavel on the motion for adjournment, I want to make this formal announcement to this House. Based on the provision of the 1999 constitution and having regards to the development of PDP in my own state, Sokoto State, I hereby announce my membership with the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.
Reacting to the development, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party had called on him to do the “needful” by resigning his position as Speaker of the House.
But, the APC rose in his defence, insisting he will not resign since the constitution did not state expressly that the ruling party will produce the Speaker.
The following day, the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, ordered the wthidrawal of the Speaker’s security aides, citing constitutional provision.
Recall the embattled Speaker had on Tuesday recalled members of the Lower Chamber from recess to consider President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
But earlier, security operatives had taken over the National Assembly complex, a move seen as aimed at preventing the Speaker from gaining access to preside over the special session.
