The Senate on Wednesday unanimously condemned Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and the Kogi State Police Command for the disruption of an empowerment programme organised by the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Ahmed Ogembe.

The Senate constituted an Ad-hoc committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the disruption and violence during the programme.

During the plenary, lawmakers took turns to criticise Bello and the Nigeria Police Force, accusing them of being a threat to the country’s democracy.

The reactions of lawmakers followed the Order 43 cited by Senator Ogembe, who briefed the Senate that the empowerment programme he sponsored was disrupted and this has caused violence in Kogi Central, his constituency.

Ogembe said: “The police command refused to act; my supporters were seriously injured. However, the political intimidation and violence is on the increase. As at now I cannot go home because I am not sure of my safety.”

On his part, a visibly angry Senator Dino Melaye, of Kogi West, declared: “The Governor of Kogi State cannot shut me up because he must pay the salaries of workers and cater for the welfare of the people of the state.”

Melaye appealed to the Senate President Bukola Saraki to look into the fisticuff, saying: “Mr President, please help us on the issue of Kogi State.”

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