Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly by security operatives on Monday.
In a statement shared on his X handle, Atiku called the incident “utterly reprehensible” and emphasized the need for a full and thorough investigation into the matter.
Atiku expressed his astonishment that the operatives reportedly had a mandate to enforce a leadership change within the House, describing the situation as baffling and alarming. He further criticized those who claim to have fought for democracy but were now involved in undermining the state’s legislative body.
“The viral video of armed security operatives invading the Lagos State House of Assembly is utterly reprehensible and stands condemned. It must be subjected to a full and thorough investigation. It is bewildering that the invading operatives reportedly have a mandate to enforce a leadership change in the House,” he said.
Atiku also pointed out that this attack on the legislature was an assault on democracy itself. “It is appalling that those who claim to have fought for democracy are now sanctioning this crass desecration of the state’s foremost legislative body, putting our hard-earned democracy in jeopardy,” he added.
The PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election condemned the use of security forces in resolving parliamentary disputes, calling it “disgraceful.” He explained that while leadership crises in a parliament are not uncommon in a democracy, involving armed security personnel to resolve such matters was a dangerous precedent that needed immediate scrutiny.
“This act is an attack on the sanctity of democracy and a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate, especially the people of Lagos,” Atiku said. “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. The purported invitation of armed security operatives for conflict resolution in a parliament is an anathema that should be frowned upon and interrogated with all sense of urgency.”
Atiku concluded his statement by urging President Bola Tinubu to focus on addressing the national challenges that have plagued the country, rather than interfering in the internal matters of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Heightened security presence was seen at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, amid an ongoing leadership struggle within the legislative body. Security vans and personnel were seen both inside and outside the Assembly complex in Alausa, with some agents attempting to access the Assembly chambers, which delayed the plenary session for several hours.
