AHEAD today’s resumption from annual recess by federal lawmakers, security was, since on Monday, beefed up in and around the National Assembly complex.
Nigerian Tribune observed the two roads leading to the complex from the office of the Head of Service and the Federal Secretariat were barricaded, to allow for easy control of human and traffic control.
In addition, it was observed that six patrol vans were strategically stationed at the main entrance of the complex, while heavy presence of armed policemen and others were noticed.
A senior police officer at the complex told the Nigerian Tribune in confidence that the action became imperative, following the various unfavourable security reports on the possible attack and invasion of the complex by various interest groups in the issue of the trial of the Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
“As security agencies, we should be on the top of the situation. We must maintain law and order and we don’t start doing that when the trouble starts. We have to plan ahead. This is exactly what we are doing,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the chairman, Senate ad hoc committee on media and publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, on Monday, confirmed that the upper chamber of the National Assembly would resume from its six weeks break today.
He dispelled speculations of a likely postponement of the resumption, adding that the Senate would commence legislative activities and was also set to welcome communication from President Muhammadu Buhari.
Melaye, in a statement on Monday, said the Senate was committed to doing whatever would promote the unity, prosperity and well-being of the Nigerian people.
The statement stressed that there would be no “stormy session” in the Senate on resumption as being speculated by a section of the media, since both the leadership of the upper chamber and all senators were at peace and were focussed on working for the betterment of the country at all times.
According to him, “I want to confirm that the Senate will resume tomorrow (Tuesday) and that we are set to carry out all our legislative responsibilities.
“I also want to use this opportunity to announce the resolve of the Senate to do only those things that will promote the unity, prosperity and well-being of the Nigerian people.”
The Senate spokesperson added that the present challenges confronting the red chamber would be surmounted.(TRIBUNE)
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