Institute Probe On Siege To NASS, And Other Reactions

Following the dramatic siege to the National Assembly by masked operatives of the State Security Service also known as Department of State Security, Nigerians from all walk of life have been reacting to the situation.

Former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Osita Chidoka, said there was need for a judicial inquiry rather than just the sack of the DSS DG Lawan Daura by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Advertisement

“Let’s always stand for rights and legality. There is need for a judicial public enquiry into NASS attack

“The issue of control of Police and SSS by government MUST be clarified.

“NASS must rise to the occasion. We need to KNOW what happened? (sic) Sacking Daura is diversionary,” Chidoka tweeted @osita_chidoka.

He raised some posers: “who directed for the operation to be carried out?

Advertisement

“Was the DG given fair hearing?

“An inquiry into how the SSS operate vis a vis executive control and interference.”

Also, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has described the action as “unimpressive.”

The Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, stated that the sacked DSS DG could not have acted without a directive from the Presidency.

He said, “The only difference between the democratic and military governments is the parliament. For the DSS to wake up in the morning to go and seal off the National Assembly suggests that there is a trouble in Nigerian democracy.

Advertisement

“We are yet to understand the meaning of the sacking of Lawal Daura by the Acting President. Does it mean that the DSS could go and seal the National Assembly without the instruction from the acting president or Mr. President himself?

“The sacking is not impressive at all. Is Daura the commander-in-chief of his own that can just act without an instruction from above?

“It is either he took the instruction from the Acting President or the President in London. Those are the two people that can instruct him to go and seal up the National Assembly.

“This is an indication that our democracy is under threat and Nigerians should now know that this ruling government constitutes a danger to the democratic rule in Nigeria.

“What has happened is embarrassing and the whole world will be laughing at us.

“I can bet it with anybody that the DG of DSS cannot seal up the National Assembly without the instruction from above.”

Advertisement

Similarly, the British High Commission warned that it would only accept a democratic process that recognises the rights of Nigerians to participate in election process.

Spokesperson for the UK Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Joe Abuku in a statement, explained that the U.K was following the development surrounding the blockage of the National Assembly this morning.

“We are aware of media reports of a situation at the National Assembly this morning. We are closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria.

“The United Kingdom supports a process whereby the people of Nigeria can exercise their democratic right to vote and be voted for. We favour a free, fair, credible and peaceful process and the independence of institutions, which allow for that.”

Leave a comment

Advertisement