The National Assembly of Nigeria was closed down Thursday in the wake of an effort to block opposition lawmakers from entering the Nigerian House of Representatives.

    The apparent main target was Speaker of the House Aminu Tambuwal, who left the ruling People’s Democratic Party recently to join the opposition All Progressives Congress. Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, urges the Nigerian executive branch to respect the democratic process and cease and desist efforts to interfere with the legislative branch.

     “Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa, and as such has been watched closely by other democratic governments in Africa,” Smith said.  “If the executive branch of Nigeria successfully thwarts the ability of its legislature to operate, other governments could follow, and democracy in Africa will be placed in grave danger.”

     Speaker Tambuwal was able to enter the House chambers only after his colleagues overpowered State Security Service and police officers blocking his entry.  At least 15 other House members from his party had to scale a fence erected to block them from entering the building.  Several members reportedly were overcome by tear gas used by Nigerian security and police personnel.  In the wake of the conflict, Senate President David Mark closed the entire National Assembly.

    The National Assembly had been reconvened at the request of President Goodluck Jonathan to consider his request for an extension of the state of emergency in three states in northeastern Nigeria beset by attacks from the terrorist group Boko Haram: Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

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