The Senate has mandated its Committee on States and Local Government to investigate the cause of the fracas which broke out in Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The Senate condemned the crisis in the assembly, saying it posed grave danger to the growth of the nation’s democracy.
It also resolved that the Inspector-General (IG) of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, should take immediate steps to address the frosty relationship between the state governor and the Commissioner of Police (CP).
The resolution followed a point of order raised by Sen. Magnus Abe (PDP- Rivers) over the fight, which broke out between factions of legislators on the floor of the assembly.
Abe decried the failure of the police command in the state to intervene in the fracas and urged the Senate to take urgent steps to uphold the provisions of the constitution.
He said that the crisis had taken a destructive dimension, adding that the fracas was an indication that the current CP in Rivers, Mr Joseph Mbu, was no longer able to control the situation.
“It is clear that the Rivers Police Command under the current commissioner of police is incapable of controlling the situation in the state.
“This Senate needs to do something in order to save the state and to save our democracy,’’ he said.
In his contribution, Sen. Babajide Omowurare called for division challenging the ruling of the Senate president and urged the IG to address the frosty relationship between the governor and the commissioner of police.
Omowurare’s position, based on Order 73 of the Senate Standing Rules, caused confusion in the Senate, which led to division to determine if the resolution should be accepted or not.
Under the order, each senator is allowed to vote individually on a matter according to his position.
Opposition senators, who felt the resolution was not stiff enough, rose in support of Omowurare’s call for division to decide the contentious resolution.
At the end of the division vote conducted by the Clerk of the Senate, the `YES’ vote was 50 and the `NO’ vote was 47.
Seven senators were absent and three abstained.
Earlier, the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, had described the incident as “embarrassing,’’ and a misrepresentation of the image of legislators in the country.
“Clearly what is happening in Rivers State is an embarrassment to legislators across the length and breadth of this country.
“It is in the interest of state assemblies not to do anything that would portray legislators as irresponsible because that is not what we are,’’ he said.
Mark urged Nigerians to condemn the incident, adding that it must not be allowed to fester any longer “irrespective of who is directly involved or who is behind it.
“Democracy involves dialogue and at every point people must learn to dialogue to discuss and bring issues to the table not to fight over issues to the level where it has reached.
“But because of the urgency, this Senate must take immediate step to protect democracy, protect this country and ensure that democracy continues to grow and improve in the country.’’
The Senate president pledged the determination of the Senate to uphold and defend the provisions of the constitution as well as defend the Nigerian people at all times.
The Senate spokesman, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, told newsmen that the resolution was adopted to safeguard the legislature, which is the heart of democracy.
“We cannot, as the highest legislative body in Nigeria, watch while there is a clear and present danger to this country. This is the reason why the resolution was adopted.
“What we mean by that is that nothing should be done that is against the spirit and letters of the constitution of Nigeria,’’ he said.
The Sen. Kabiru Gaya chaired States and Local Governments Committee was given one week to submit the report of its findings.
