The pan-northern socio-political organization, the Arewa Consultative forum, ACF, has decried Thursday’s blockade of the National Assembly and the attempt by the police to bar the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, from entering the assembly complex.
A spokesperson for the forum, Anthony Sani, called for sanctions against those behind the blockade.
Mr. Sani said the incident has portrayed Nigeria across the globe as a lawless and unserious country not capable of entrenching democratic norms.
“What happened in the national assembly was not democratic and therefore shameful not only in Nigeria but across the globe,” he said. “Whoever orchestrated the incident in the National Assembly should be called to order and sanctioned accordingly”.
The forum also called on Nigerians to stand firm and protect democracy and avoid being used by unprofessional elements in the society to stagnate the development of our democracy.
It added that those behind the siege on the assembly must not be allowed to go scot-free.
ACF, however, urged members of the National Assembly to always ensure that their conduct are exemplary and within the dictates of the Nigerian constitution they swore to uphold.
“We must not allow our personal interest override our national call that will create disaffection among the system and create necessary tension”, Mr. Sani, said.
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