NASS Shut Down By NANS Protest

Protesting students under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have blocked both vehicular and pedestrian movement in and out of the National Assembly (NASS) Complex in Abuja. The angry students chanting solidarity songs at the main gate of the National Assembly are protesting what they say is gross injustice by the leadership of the House of Representatives against a former president of NANS, Comrade Tonye Nwoye. Speaking to Daily Trust, the chairman of NANs ex-presidents forum, comrade Femi Osanibu, said, "as part of this warning protest, we are giving them 72 hours to respect the court judgment and swear in comrade, Tony Nwoye as member of the House of Representatives from Anambra East/West Federal constituency." He explained that, "the speaker Aminu Tambuwal, has been illegally, unlawfully and unconstitutional sustaining Mr. Chriscato Ameke in the House of Representatives since 17th July 2012 when the court declared comrade Tony Nwoye winner of the seat." According to comrade Osanibu, "despite the fact that comrade Nwoye has been issued a certificate of return, and INEC has withdrawn that of Mr. Chriscato Ameke, the continued stay of Mr. Ameke is tantamount to gross misconduct, illegality, abuse of power and unconstitutional." He added that NANS was calling on all members of the National Assembly to within 72 hours convene and review the matter, with respect to the court judgment and swear in Nwoye. NANS claims that, on 26th April 2011, Ameke who never participated in the PDP primary elections was issued a certificate of return by INEC while Nwoye was the actual candidate who won the elections. They also argue that, on 13th July 2012, comrade Tony Nwoye secured an order of mandamus/ judgment mandating INEC to recognize him as the candidate of the election and issue him a certificate of return in obedience to the Supreme Court Judgment of the 6th of June 2012 that Mr. Chriscato Ameke never participated in the elections. "On the 16th July, INEC complied and issued Tony Nwoye a certificate of return and withdrew the earlier one issued to Mr. Chriscato," Osanibu said. Daily Trust