Senate probes siege to Ondo Assembly

The Senate has put machinery in motion to investigate the ongoing police siege to the Ondo State House of Assembly.The decision by the Upper Legislative body followed a motion by Senator Abiodun Olujimi (PDP Ekiti South).She informed her colleagues at plenary the siege to the Assembly by police personnel and thugs has denied the lawmakers access to the legislative complex.She cited Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate rules, stating the crisis in the Ondo House has reportedly caused an injury to a female lawmaker, who was allegedly beaten up by thugs.Olujimi said: Thugs invaded the House and beat up a legislator, a woman was beaten, urging the Senate to intervene to allow the lawmakers carry out their duties.Other lawmakers that aligned with Olujimis position were Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Ajayi Boniface, Gbenga Ashafa, Atai Aidoko and Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu among others.In his ruling, Senate President Bukola Saraki bemoaned the invasion of the Ondo Assembly, noting that legislators have become targets of attacks by the police and sponsored thugs.Saraki cited similar siege in Benue, Kogi and Akwa Ibom in recent times.Saraki said: Our democracy is defined by our legislative arm, we must stand very strongly on this. By our resolution, the police should allow the members to sit.The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs for investigation. The committee is expected to report back to the Senate next week.
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