Nigerian security forces fired teargas inside the
parliament complex as opposition lawmakers, including the speaker of the lower
house, arrived for a key vote on emergency rule in the northeast.
The leader of the Senate, David Mark, later ordered
the immediate closure of both chambers until next week over the
incident. This was as a result of the confusion that engulfed the complex
earlier today.
Multiple reports, including from eye witnesses,
indicated that security agents tried to block House of Representatives Speaker
Aminu Tambuwal, who defected to the opposition last month, from entering the
building.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have
tried to remove Tambuwal from the speaker’s chair since his defection. His security details were also withdrawn by
the police.
Lawmakers had been scheduled to vote Thursday on
President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend the state of emergency in the
northeast region hit hardest by Boko Haram.
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