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Nigeria parliament shut after tear gas fired | Nigeria parliament shut after tear gas fired |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nigerian security forces have fired tear gas inside parliament, just before a crucial debate on security in the conflict-ridden north-east. | Nigerian security forces have fired tear gas inside parliament, just before a crucial debate on security in the conflict-ridden north-east. |
Reports say the police were trying to stop House of Representatives speaker Aminu Tambuwal from entering. | Reports say the police were trying to stop House of Representatives speaker Aminu Tambuwal from entering. |
Mr Tambuwal defected to the opposition from the ruling PDP last month. His former colleagues have since argued he should be stripped of his speaker role. | Mr Tambuwal defected to the opposition from the ruling PDP last month. His former colleagues have since argued he should be stripped of his speaker role. |
Senate leader David Mark ordered both chambers to close until next week. | Senate leader David Mark ordered both chambers to close until next week. |
Political tensions are high in Nigeria, ahead of general elections next year. | Political tensions are high in Nigeria, ahead of general elections next year. |
Analysis: BBC Hausa editor Mansur Liman: | Analysis: BBC Hausa editor Mansur Liman: |
It is a coincidence that this row happened on a day when an important bill was to be debated by the lawmakers. | It is a coincidence that this row happened on a day when an important bill was to be debated by the lawmakers. |
After the defection of the speaker of the House of Representatives from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition, PDP members have publicly called for his impeachment. | After the defection of the speaker of the House of Representatives from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition, PDP members have publicly called for his impeachment. |
Lawmakers from the ruling party even tried to recall the House from its recess, but the courts decided that only the speaker is constitutionally empowered to do so. | Lawmakers from the ruling party even tried to recall the House from its recess, but the courts decided that only the speaker is constitutionally empowered to do so. |
Last month the Nigerian police withdrew the security aides attached to Aminu Tambuwal after his defection, saying he ceased to be the speaker of the house. | Last month the Nigerian police withdrew the security aides attached to Aminu Tambuwal after his defection, saying he ceased to be the speaker of the house. |
Nigerian police are notorious for being partisan and actively support the wishes of whoever is in power. | Nigerian police are notorious for being partisan and actively support the wishes of whoever is in power. |
If Mr Tambuwal had been absent from Thursday's crucial sitting, PDP lawmakers could have impeached him and proceeded to approve the extension of the state of emergency with little opposition. | |
Mr Tambuwal's defection is a further blow to President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election in February. | |
Mr Tambuwal adjourned the House shortly after he defected in late October, apparently to ensure he could not be unseated by PDP representatives. | Mr Tambuwal adjourned the House shortly after he defected in late October, apparently to ensure he could not be unseated by PDP representatives. |
Thursday was the first full session of the House since his defection. | Thursday was the first full session of the House since his defection. |
Parliamentarians were due to debate a presidential bill seeking the extension of the state of emergency in three states hardest hit by the militant group Boko Haram. | Parliamentarians were due to debate a presidential bill seeking the extension of the state of emergency in three states hardest hit by the militant group Boko Haram. |
BBC Hausa editor Mansur Liman says many opposition MPs opposed the extension of the state of emergency because they say it has failed to bring an end to the insurgency. | BBC Hausa editor Mansur Liman says many opposition MPs opposed the extension of the state of emergency because they say it has failed to bring an end to the insurgency. |
Witnesses said security agents attempted to block Mr Tambuwal as he arrived at parliament, and also locked out other opposition politicians. | Witnesses said security agents attempted to block Mr Tambuwal as he arrived at parliament, and also locked out other opposition politicians. |
Images showed suited politicians scaling the gates outside of the assembly building. | Images showed suited politicians scaling the gates outside of the assembly building. |
Agents then fired tear gas, which filled the lobby for several minutes. | Agents then fired tear gas, which filled the lobby for several minutes. |
Mr Tambuwal reportedly managed to get into the assembly building only after other politicians scuffled with security agents. | Mr Tambuwal reportedly managed to get into the assembly building only after other politicians scuffled with security agents. |