CurrentReport Blog Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the recent invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly by armed security operatives. The political leader described the incident as “utterly reprehensible” and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy while calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Security Operatives Storm Lagos Assembly
Reports indicate that heavily armed security operatives were deployed to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, allegedly to enforce a leadership change within the legislative body. The presence of these forces has sparked widespread concerns over the independence of democratic institutions in Nigeria.
Reacting to the incident, Atiku Abubakar took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to condemn the involvement of armed personnel in parliamentary matters. He emphasized that while leadership disputes within democratic institutions are not unusual, resorting to forceful intervention undermines the integrity of the democratic process.
Atiku’s Strong Condemnation
In his statement, Atiku criticized the use of security agencies in what he described as a “crass desecration” of the Lagos Assembly. He expressed concerns that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of democracy in Nigeria.
“Whatever may have caused the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly is an undercurrent that is not abnormal in a system of democracy. However, the involvement of armed forces in parliamentary matters is an anathema that should be frowned upon and interrogated with all sense of urgency,” he stated.
Calls for a Thorough Investigation
Atiku has urged the Federal Government and relevant authorities to launch a full and independent investigation into the invasion of the Lagos Assembly to determine who authorized the deployment of security operatives. He insisted that such undemocratic acts must not go unpunished to prevent future occurrences in other state assemblies or national legislative bodies.
Atiku’s Criticism of President Tinubu
The former Vice President did not hold back in his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of focusing on state-level political struggles instead of addressing pressing national issues.
“At a time when Nigeria is facing severe economic hardships, insecurity, and rising inflation, the President should be focused on bringing the country out of the mess rather than interfering in state matters,” Atiku stated.
Reactions from Political Stakeholders
The invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly has sparked heated debates, with political analysts and opposition figures denouncing the use of force in legislative affairs. Many have called on the National Assembly and civil society organizations to intervene and ensure that democratic principles are upheld.
As tensions rise, Nigerians are watching closely to see how the government and security agencies will respond to the growing calls for accountability.
The Lagos Assembly invasion has raised serious concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria. Atiku’s condemnation and demand for a thorough probe highlight the need to safeguard democratic institutions from undue interference. The coming days will reveal whether the government will heed these calls and take necessary steps to restore public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
