A heated confrontation unfolded at the National Assembly on Wednesday as security personnel blocked journalists from accessing the legislative premises.
Security agents, including the Sergeant-at-Arms and police officers, cited “orders from above” as their reason for preventing entry, insisting that only those with accredited identity cards could proceed into the White House complex. 
Journalists attempted to clarify that the National Assembly’s Information Department had not yet issued permanent ID cards, but their appeals were ignored. Even those with temporary accreditation were denied access despite efforts to negotiate.
The situation escalated when security officers resorted to verbal harassment and physical aggression. The first casualty was Nicholas Kalu of ‘The Nation Newspapers” Secretary of the House of Representatives Press Corps, who was assaulted during the standoff. Additionally, Tolu Akinyemi of SuperScreen Television had her phone seized by the officers.
When reached for comments, officials from the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly distanced themselves from the directive, denying any involvement.
This directive might not be unconnected to the recent face-off between former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North Senatorial District) at a hearing by Senate Committee on Ethics on sexual harassment allegations involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday in Abuja.
More updates to follow…
