The Invasion of the Nigerian Senate by Thugs.

       
 
   
The Rape on our Democracy

On Wednesday, the 18th day of April, 2018, five thugs invaded the hallowed chambers of the Nigerian Senate while in plenary. Commando style, these five thugs cowed the entire Senators, the Sergeant-at-arms, who was alleged to have allowed them in, by the goadings of Omoagege, in the first place, and made away with the mase which is the symbol of authority of the Senate.

Same Wednesday, a suspended member of the Senate by name Senator Omoagege appeared at plenary albeit being on suspension for what the entire Senate saw as a betrayal by a distinguished member. He has been on suspension for saying that the Electoral Act amendment bill which proposes a change in the sequence of election in Nigeria was targeted at the President of the Nigeria. Hence he was subsequently suspended for 90 legislative days. What punishment!

Many, though, has frawned at the ease with which the Senate suspended dissenting voices in the Senate. Even there is a Court judgement on the maximum length of time a Senate member could be suspended by fellow members. The Court put that at two weeks max. But the Senate leadership won't have any of this, though they are in Court but civility demands that the judgement of any competent Court of justice must be obey until same is set aside by another judgement of a higher Court.

Now these brings us back to the main issue under discussion: the mase being snatched by hoodlums under the watchful eyes of over 2500 security officials whose job it is to guard the National Assembly. This points to the security being compromised by order from above. Why do I think so? How did these thugs make it through the NASS entrance gates and all other security Check points which are not few in the NASS? If this doesn't reek of compromise to you then you are on a very long thing! Then there is the issue of their escape! They went through the presidential gate!! Can you fathom that? The presidential gate that is always locked unless the President is coming to the National Assembly!?

Who has the keys to that gate? He or she should be under police custody by now. But that only happens in saner clime where everybody observe and understand the rule of law.

My take on all these is that the executive is complicit in this shameful act. They worked with the suspended senator who aided and abated these thugs until they were in the hallowed chambers. The rumour on the street has it that the plot was for the disenchanted members ie the pro-Buhari group, to come back after the pro-Saraki group might have left to perfect his impeachment. To do this the mase is needed. Case late Chuba Okadigbo comes to mind. Such is the level of decadence of our distinguished Senators has sunken to in their quest for power!!!

Nigeria has gone to the dogs, truly.