The leadership of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned last Wednesday snatching of the Mace from the Senate chamber by persons believed to be political thugs.
The Mace is the symbol of authority of the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The invasion of the chamber, according to the lawmakers, occurred during the plenary of the Senate.
A statement jointly signed by NGE’s President Funke Egbomode and the National Secretary Victoria Ibanga condemning the invasion of the National Assembly by thugs reads thus:
“The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) condemns in very strong terms, any and every act that constitutes an affront to or assault on our fledgling democracy!
“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!
“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.
“The NGE notes and commends the Nigeria Police for swiftly responding to the emergent crisis. However, all security agencies are again enjoined to as a matter of urgency, renew their commitment and re-strategise 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.
“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 it’s 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.”