Nigerian security forces fired teargas on Thursday
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) has
tried to remove Tambuwal from the speaker’s
chair since his defection and stripped him of his
security detail.
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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