The Federal Government on Saturday ordered the withdrawal of all
diplomatic passports of National Assembly (NASS) members, including that
of Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.
No reason was given for the action, but sources said it was not
unconnected with the level of opposition the Presidency is currently
facing among the National Assembly members which got to feverish peak
last week.
The implication of the Federal Government’s action is that all 109
senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives would no longer
enjoy the special travel privileges the blue-coloured passport confers
on its holder when they travel abroad.
The withdrawal of the diplomatic passports of the senators and members
of the House of Representatives is coming barely 24 hours after the
Presidency sacked Senator Joy Emordi as its Special Adviser on National
Assembly matters.
Sources in a position to know the power play in Aso Rock told Sunday
Independent that even though it was the crisis in the ruling party that
necessitated the action, members of the opposition party in the Assembly
are also being affected.
With the loss of their diplomatic passports, the NASS members no longer
have immunity against arrest any time they travel abroad, a script, we
gathered last night from our sources, was the motive for the action.
Source: Daily Independent
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