Police Justify Withdrawal of Tambuwal’s Security Personnel

Following his refusal to resign as Speaker of the House of Representatives having defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have moved against the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.

It was gathered Thursday morning that all the security personnel- police, men of the State Security Service and Civil Defence attached to the Office of the Speaker have been withdrawn.

The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, confirmed the withdrawal of police personnel, citing constitutional provision.

According to the IGP, the action is in line with the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu said.

“In view of the recent defection by the Right Honourable Aminu Waziri Tanbuwal, CFR, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from the People Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), and having regard to the clear provision of section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has redeployed its personnel attached to his office,” the terse statement reads.

Mr. Tambuwal, who formally announced his defection at Tuesday plenary, is now left alone as an ordinary citizen.

Sequel to his defection, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had met with the PDP leaders in the House, during which Mr. Tambuwal was advised to do the “needful” since he now belongs to a minority party.

But both his party, APC and some members of the House have reacted, insisting he would not relinquish his position as Speaker since he has done nothing unconstitutional.

The Speaker attended the APC mini convention on Thursday in Abuja, during which he said only the opposition can liberate Nigerians.