By ‘Dotun Akintomide
As reactions continue to trail the desecration of the hallowed chamber Wednesday, where unresisted hoodlums made away with the Senate’s mace under cameras, a leader of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural Group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo has called out President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the incidence suggests “nobody is in power again.”
Judging by recent developments in the polity, Adebanjo who spoke on a Ray Power program closely monitored by The New Diplomat Thursday morning, observed that it appears the President has no power over the security apparatus in the country, which he said is being headed by officers from a section of the country.
“These are incidences that show that there’s nobody in power again taking decisive actions,” he said.
The elder statesman said the drama that happened yesterday serves as a pointer to the reason as to why herdsmen had continued to overrun villages unhindered, lamenting the 1999 constitution as a document which had failed to enthrone ‘thoughtful’ leaders in positions of authority.
“Look at the killings that took place in Benue earlier in the year, this same President gave an order to the police officer since January and didn’t even know he (IGP Ibrahim Idris) had failed to obey his instruction until March, yet that police officer is still in office.
“The 1999 constitution that enthrones people in power allows them to do all sorts of things. If the man in power has been a thoughtful person how can you have security departments headed by officers from a particular section of the country, packed among themselves.
“With that how can any meaningful decision be taken? Is that not part of the incompetence all over?” He asked.
Similarly, the senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has described the invasion of the Senate chamber by suspected hoodlums as an attempted coup d’état.
Sani who was present at the Senate chambers when hoodlums went away with the mace said in a statement that the attackers and their sponsors represent “a reactionary forces of evil and darkness.
“The armed invasion of the senate chambers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stands condemned. Its treasonable and nothing but an attempted coup de’tat.
“The armed invasion is an open and undisguised assault on our democracy and a desecration of our constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Senator accused of masterminding the assault on democracy, Ovie Omo-Agege, has denied having anything to do with the Wednesday’s invasion of the senate chambers and the removal of the mace.
The senator representing Delta Central has also been released by the police.
Shortly, after the mace was stolen, The New Diplomat had reported that the Senate accused Omo-Agege of sending thugs to steal the mace.
Omo-Agege in his reaction denied involvement in the theft of the mace.
He said he has also left police custody.
A statement by a legal practitioner, Mr. Lucky Ajokperniovo, for the office of the Senator, said that he only went to the Red Chamber on Wednesday to resume work and sit for plenary.
He added that he was only invited by the police to speak about his perspective on the incident.
“We are aware of several media reports suggesting that Senator Omo-Agege personally removed or encouraged anyone to remove the Mace of the Senate. This weighty allegation is not true at all.
“Following the said media reports on the Mace issue, the Police authorities decided to hear from Senator Omo-Agege.
“He has told the Police his perspective to help them carry out a proper investigation. He has since left the Police.
“Senator Omo-Agege trusts them to thoroughly investigate this very serious matter,” the statement read in part.
Omo-Agege also reacted to the statement by the Senate Spokesperson, Senator Abdullahi Sabi accusing him of leading the hoodlums to cart away the mace.
Omo-Agege described the allegation as ‘very serious’.
“We are carefully studying Senator Sabi’s allegations to ascertain their full ramifications.
“Appropriate responses will follow, as may be necessary,” Omo-Agege’s statement read.
The mace which is the symbol of authority of the Senate was on Wednesday, snatched by some unidentified men.
The men barged into the Chamber of the Senate, during plenary, pushed away the Sergeant-at-Arms positioned at the entrance and carted away the mace.
The drama coincided with the protest at the National Assembly against the suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, APC- Delta Central.
Spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, accused Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of masterminding the snatching of the mace.
He described the action as an attempt to overthrow an arm of government. He said it was treason.
