Attack on Senate threat to democracy, says NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described Wednesday’s
invasion of the Senate by suspected hoodlums as a violation of the
nation’s security and threat to the current democratic
dispensation.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the
congress said the episode was an unfortunate reminder of the dark
says the nation should do without.

The statement reads: “The invasion of the hallowed chamber of
the Senate on Wednesday by hoodlums and miscreants who carted away
the mace and other paraphernalia of authority is a violation of the
sanctity of the Senate and constitutes a threat to our
democracy.

“It represents a throw-back to those dark old days we are better
off without

“It is equally a sad commentary on the quality of
representation. We therefore condemn it in its entirety.

“We similarly invite all who love Nigeria to rise and condemn
this crude and sordid act or conduct.

“The Senate, from the days of the Greeks and Romans from whom
the world borrowed this concept of democracy, has always been a
sacred arena for the nobility (in carriage, thought or mind), the
best and the brightest, the gifted in oratory, a hatchery of the
supremacy of ideas delivered in the most sublime and profound
language in furtherance of the interest of fatherland.

“As a house packed full of representatives from different parts
of the Republic, there are bound to be differences (of opinion,
tactics, strategy) and even conflicts, but these are expected to be
resolved in a dignified manner befitting of men and women of
character and learning!

“It is for this reason there are rules of engagement that every
member is made to understand as a precondition to swearing in.”

Describing the incident as “a big anomaly”, he said the National
Assembly’s security apparatus should be called to question for
laxity or compromise.

“Whereas they have often distinguished themselves by keeping at
bay constituents and peaceful protesters from the precincts of the
National Assembly, these thugs seem to have walked on a laid red
carpet.

“Could these agencies have been acting alone? What is the degree
of their complicity?

“Whichever way, we condemn this primitive conduct and demand
sanctions. Let it never happen again. There are better methods, no
matter the issues.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described Wednesday’s
invasion of the Senate by suspected hoodlums as a violation of the
nation’s security and threat to the current democratic
dispensation.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the
congress said the episode was an unfortunate reminder of the dark
says the nation should do without.

The statement reads: “The invasion of the hallowed chamber of
the Senate on Wednesday by hoodlums and miscreants who carted away
the mace and other paraphernalia of authority is a violation of the
sanctity of the Senate and constitutes a threat to our
democracy.

“It represents a throw-back to those dark old days we are better
off without

“It is equally a sad commentary on the quality of
representation. We therefore condemn it in its entirety.

“We similarly invite all who love Nigeria to rise and condemn
this crude and sordid act or conduct.

“The Senate, from the days of the Greeks and Romans from whom
the world borrowed this concept of democracy, has always been a
sacred arena for the nobility (in carriage, thought or mind), the
best and the brightest, the gifted in oratory, a hatchery of the
supremacy of ideas delivered in the most sublime and profound
language in furtherance of the interest of fatherland.

“As a house packed full of representatives from different parts
of the Republic, there are bound to be differences (of opinion,
tactics, strategy) and even conflicts, but these are expected to be
resolved in a dignified manner befitting of men and women of
character and learning!

“It is for this reason there are rules of engagement that every
member is made to understand as a precondition to swearing in.”

Describing the incident as “a big anomaly”, he said the National
Assembly’s security apparatus should be called to question for
laxity or compromise.

“Whereas they have often distinguished themselves by keeping at
bay constituents and peaceful protesters from the precincts of the
National Assembly, these thugs seem to have walked on a laid red
carpet.

“Could these agencies have been acting alone? What is the degree
of their complicity?

“Whichever way, we condemn this primitive conduct and demand
sanctions. Let it never happen again. There are better methods, no
matter the issues.”