BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has condemned in very strong terms, the snatching of the Senate Mace, the symbol of authority, from the Red Chamber by alleged thugs, stressing that any and every act that constitutes an affront to or assault on our fledgling democracy must not be encouraged!
The NGE which was responding to what it described as yet another charade which unfolded in the Senate on Wednesday with the snatching of the Mace, noted that such brigandage and acts akin to hooliganism, as was witnessed on Wednesday, run contrary to the concepts and tenets of the democracy that the Fourth Estate of the Realm struggled to enshrine in our country!
In a statement signed by its President, Mrs Funke Egbemode, the NGE said even more reprehensible was the confirmation by the Nigerian Senate that the dastardly act was perpetrated on the instruction of an elected representative of the people.
The NGE, like other law-abiding organisations, agencies and persons across all strata, demand that the perpetrators be tracked, arrested and tried in accordance with the country’s constitutional provisions.
It noted and commended the Nigeria Police for swiftly responding to the emergent crisis, but enjoined all security agencies to as a matter of urgency, renew their commitment and restrategise to forestall a recurrence, not only in the National Assembly but throughout the country.
The NGE also reminds all officials, elected or appointed and across all tiers of government, to remember their oath of office, as well as the confidence and trust reposed in them by the Nigerian people.
Egbemode further said; “At all times, their words and deeds must exemplify the highest level of decency, decorum, responsibility and stewardship, in order to remain worthy of the people’s faith and trust.
“The NGE restates its commitment to promote issues that will deepen sustainable democracy in Nigeria. In this regard, NGE calls on all other constitutional realms to diligently and selflessly play their parts to achieve this goal for our fatherland.”
