- orders investigation of Akwa Ibom assembly seal-up
The Senate on Wednesday directed its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the alleged harassment, intimidation and molestation by security, before, during and after the Kwara House of Representatives by-election which held last Saturday.
This was sequel to a point of order raised by the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Rafiu Ibrahim, who drew the Senate’s attention to the roles allegedly played by the police before, during and after the poll.
He alleged that a police helicopter landed in Omu-Aran few days to the election and offloaded some bags, suspected to contain money and electoral materials, into the vehicle of the All Progressives Congress candidate in the election, Mr. Raheem Olawuyi.
He also said the Divisional Police Officers in the area, were redeployed, few days to the election.
He also alleged that about four directors of the Directorate of State Services were drafted to the state for the conduct of the poll.
Ibrahim said, “The harassment, intimidation, and arrest of prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party before, during and after the election created tension and fears in the minds of the electorate.
“Majority of the eligible voters decided to stay away when the harassment was too much. That is why only about 40, 000 out of the over 168, 000 registered voters, participated in the election.”
Speaking on the issue, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the Senate has the responsibility to ensure that the electorate is not harassed and intimidated before, during and after the next year’s general election.
He said, “Any attempt to involve the police actively in elections is an invitation to anarchy and violence.”
He, therefore, directed the Senate Committee on Police Affairs to commence immediate investigations into the issue, especially the roles played by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and report back to the Senate in two weeks.
Senate orders investigation of Akwa Ibom assembly seal-up
Also, the Senate on Wednesday ordered an investigation into the seal-up of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly by security operatives.
The decision to investigate the situation was on Wednesday reached after the issue was raised on the floor of the Senate by Senator Bassey Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom North-East.
This was revealed on the verified Twitter handle of the Senate, @NGRSenate.
Senator Bassey Akpan cited Order 42 and 52 and then informed the Senate that the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly was sealed by security operatives on Wednesday morning.
Senator Shehu Sani in response described the situation as a serious offense.
“Laying siege on the State Assembly is a serious offense,” he said.
Senate President Bukola Saraki in response condemned the action of the security operatives and described it as brutality. He then ordered the Committee on Police to investigate the situation.
“As parliamentarians, we should not go partisan on this issue. If it’s true that security agents have invaded the House of Assembly, it is wrong and I must condemn such brutality; but if it’s so, we should not support it.
“There should be an investigation quickly to establish this and that committee should report back to us and tell us once it’s confirmed. Then we can take it from there,” he said.
The Committee on Police is to report back to the House within 48 hours.
Punch/Channels TV
Punch
