The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has condemned the recurring crises in the House of Representatives.
The TUC described it as nothing but a show of shame.
The Congress said it is further bewildered by the alleged role of security operatives who are supposed to maintain law and order.
The TUC said in a statement on Thursday: “According to report, heavily armed security agents made up of the police and officers of the Directorate of State Service (DSS), yesterday, prevented the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, from gaining entry into the National Assembly complex for a sitting of the members of the House to deliberate on the request by the presidency for extension of emergency rule in the three states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.
“The Congress is yet to come to terms with what it saw on the television and series of photographs used by the social media; Nigerian lawmakers pulling down gates and climbing fences! This is a “feat” which we have not seen in other climes. We wonder what politics has become in this country! We are amazed at the do-or-die attitude of our politicians in their quest for power. The congress is alarmed by the strange and uncalled-for attitude of politicians which have continued to claim lives of innocent Nigerians in their thousands, especially in the north-east. Needless to mention Ekiti, Rivers, Lagos and a host of others.
“The Congress is of the view that the anomalies in the political terrain should be corrected immediately, before the country is plunged into crisis. Already the Country is drifting towards anarchy. There must be a limit to impunity in this country as it ridicules the country in the eyes of the world. Tear-gassing the lawmakers is not only barbaric but inhuman.
“While we call for order, we also want to assure all those instigating troubles; those who want to win elections by all means no matter whose ox is gored that the Congress and Nigerians are watching with keen interest and will ensure that they are voted out in 2015. Lawmakers are supposed to be civil in their dealings. They are supposed to be men and women of integrity but what we see is the reverse. It is rather unfortunate.”
The statement was signed by Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, the President of the TUC, and Comrade Musa Lawal, the Secretary General.