Sequel to Wednesday’s attack on the Senate and subsequent hijacking of the mace, the House of Representatives has called for a total overhaul of the National Assembly security system.
The lawmakers condemned the porosity of the National Assembly complex where adequate security was said to be grossly lacking.
While reiterating their solidarity, the lawmakers, however, vow that they won’t be intimidated by the attack.
The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who described the invasion of the Senate by hoodlums as attack on the highest arm of the institution.
He said: “In every democracy, the mace is vital to the parliament. We don’t know the facts yet, though it has started to unravel.
“What we do know is that thugs came into the floor of the Senate while members are sitting, picked up the mace and took off with it into a waiting car in front of the White House.
“How this happened is a cause for concern because it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for anybody to walk into the chamber and pick up the mace.
“It is sad that on this day we have visiting parliamentarians from the Gambia and we have to apologise to them because they should not leave with a bad taste in their mouth.
“So, we have to join the Senate in solidarity because as it is now, we are sitting ducks and we will be forever if something is not done on the matter.
“This moment should be used for what we should have done long ago. This place is porous. Things we should not see are happening everywhere. You see people hawking, some selling clothes and suya. How did they get in?
“There is a need to discuss how to beef up the security at the National Assembly.
“This attack is sacrilegious and could have been worse. This is akin to a terrorist attack but we will not be intimidated.
“This attack is meant to stop us from performing our job but we will sit and do our job.”
