Invasion of National Assembly defended by Presidency.

The Presidency has defended the invasion of the National Assembly by the police, saying the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba acted to defend the Constitution.

It said there was no need to castigate the action of the police, which it said was aimed at making sure that the laws of the country are obeyed.

Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe was reacting to questions raised by journalists in his office on the invasion if the assembly by riot policemen and other security agencies.

He also said that it would be wrong to assume that the police boss was acting on orders from the Presidency.

Okupe said, “Assumption (on whether the police boss was acting on instruction from the President) should stop. The IGP is a very senior officer of the government and his duties are to enforce the law.”

“He doesn’t need to get the villa to enforce the law. He is not a house boy. Though he works under the government but he is expected to defend the law. IGP has the duty to enforce the law.

“He acted in the discharge of his duty.  The IGP didn’t invade the assembly. It is wrong to assume that.”

Nevertheless, Okupe described the scenario at the National Assembly as unfortunate, and appealed to those concerned to always put the interest of the nation first in whatever they do.

He appealed to the members of the House of Representatives to urgently resolve the crisis before Tuesday to enable them act on the request from the President concerning extension of emergency rule in North-East.

The presidential aide said, “We wish that at all times; national interest should supersede all other interests including personal and political interests.

“From Government perspective, the overriding concern today is the issue of insurgency which necessitated the request by Mr President that the National Assembly considers an extension of the State of Emergency to give the Security forces the needed legal framework and space for a successful prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorists.”

“It is our hope that the Honorable members of the House of Representatives will use the period of adjournment to resolve all matters so that they can resume to deliberate and act on issues of National importance.”

Source: Punch