Defection: IGP Withdraws Tambuwal’s Security Operatives

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, October 30th, 2014

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

Less than 48 hours after his defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and his formal public presentation, the security details attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal have been withdrawn.

Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal

The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba who defended the withdrawal through a statement by the Force Public Relation Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu said that the Speaker security personel were withdrawn because of his defection from his party that elected him speaker.

He cited the violation section 68 (1) g of the 1999 constitution as the basis for his action.

The terse statement reads: in view of the recent defection by the Rt Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (CFR) the Speaker of the House of Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the People Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress and having regard to section 68 (1) g of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended, the Nigerian Police Force has withdrawn the Police personnel attached to his office.”

African Examiner gathered that officers of the State Security Service (SSS) attached to the speaker have also been withdrawn.

It would be recalled that the Speaker had on Tuesday announced his defection from PDP to APC but failed to resign as the Speaker of the House.

The withdrawal of the security aides is coming a day after President Goodluck Jonathan met with some PDP leaders as well as the meeting of the National Working Committee with the House PDP Caucus.