Following the crisis rocking the Nasarawa House of Assembly some indigenes and residents of the state on Wednesday morning besieged the entrance of Force Headquarters in protest.
Crisis had engulfed the State Assembly with the emergence of two speakers, Daniel Ogah Ogazi, representing Kokona East Constituency and Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, a former Speaker in the Assembly.
While Balarabe-Abdullahi was elected at a sitting that took place at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogazi emerged as speaker from the proceeding at the State Assembly complex.
Blueprint reports that the protesters, under the aegis of Concerned Nasarawa Stakeholders Forum, arrived the FHQ with placards bearing various inscriptions warning Governor Abdullahi Sule not to set the state on fire with his alleged imposition of leadership of the State Assembly.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Nasarawa Assembly Must Be Freed From Bondage”, “Police Cannot Be Partisan”; “Assembly Elections Outside Assembly Complex Is Illegal”,;”We Want Peace In Nasarawa State”; among many others.
They called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba, to call the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Maiyaki Muhammed Baba, to order and investigate his activities for allegedly taking sides.
Speaking to journalists, the Convener of the forum, David Manga, explained that their demands were premised on the alleged partisanship of the CP in the state.
“He said the singular act of the CP in withdrawing the security details of the speaker is tantamount to exposing him to danger, saying such action could cause serious civil unrest and political instability in the State.
“Even an ordinary member of the State House of Assembly is entitled to at least a Police officer not to talk of the Speaker and the number three citizen of Nasarawa state.
“Let it be emphasised, Sir, that the State House of Assembly established pursuant to the Provisions of Section 90 of the Constitution is an independent legislative Arm of government presided over by the Speaker of the House of Assembly,” he said after submitting a written petition to the IGP’s office.”
Manga added, “The proceedings and election of the principal members of the House is purely an internal affairs of the members interse. It is not a function the Commissioner of Police or any member of the executive arm should interfere with.
“It is surprising that the CP who is expected to maintain law and order and to uphold the rule of law has now turned himself to law breaker. We dare say that he is no longer fit to provide safety and security for the good people of Nasarawa state.
“We, the Concerned Nasarawa State Stakeholders hereby appeal to you sir to use your good office to transfer the Commissioner of Police Maiyaki Muhammed Bala out of Nasarawa state due to his unprofessional conduct.
“These acts of the CP have the propensity of causing serious civil unrest and political instability in the state.”
Addressing the protesters, an Assistant Commission of Police, Kingsley Emeka, said their message would be properly conveyed to the IGP, and urged them not to foment trouble.
“We’ve heard your grievances. Please, don’t let us cause any trouble. I can assure you that your message will be properly delivered to the IGP,” he told the protesters.