Niger State Lawmakers Break State Assembly Complex Gate After Being Denied Entry

There was pandemonium in Niger state as lamakers in the state broke the keys used by the police to lock the gate into the State House of Assembly complex in order to stop the legislators’ alleged threat to impeach the state Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Punch Online reports.

It was reported that the Police locked up the gate to the complex to foil the plot by the lawmakers serve an impeachment notice to Governor Aliyu.

Members of the Assembly, who were already in the chamber, went to the gate to order the most senior officer, guarding the gate, to open it for their colleagues, who were locked out.

But the Police Officer, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, claimed he was not with the keys of the gate.

After their effort to persuade the DSP to open the gate for those locked out proved futile, the Lawmakers proceeded to break the padlock.

The lawmakers were quoted saying:“Are we prisoners? Did we beat anyone? Did we cause riot? Why should you lock us in? These people are trying to create trouble when there is no trouble.”

It was gathered that out of 27 members of the House, 21 were in the premises to begin the process of impeaching the Governor.

It was also learnt also that members were complaining of non-payment of severance allowances and payment of half salary since February this year. The state government is alleged to be owing each member of the Assembly about N18m.

A cloud of uncertainty has enveloped Niger state politics after the governor sacked all political appointees and dissolved boards of all government agencies in the state on Monday May 4.

The Governor who did not give any explanations for his actions also asked all categories of officers who have not served up to two years to return vehicles in their possession."