Uncovered: How APC Senator Planned NASS Blockade

Last Tuesday National Assembly blockade by hooded operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) was planned by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Details have emerged on how Senator Abdullahi Adamu, from Nasarawa State, used the dismissed Director General of DSS, Lawal Daura, to execute the blockade of NASS in order to allow for a hitch-free impeachment of Bukola Saraki as Senate President.

A top operative of the DSS who made the disclosure to THE WHISTLER on condition of anonymity, revealed that Adamu was at the DSS Headquarters in Abuja for the most part of last Monday when he came to brief Daura on developments at NASS.

“Senator Abdullahi Adamu was at the headquarters last Monday. He was holding meeting with Daura almost throughout the day and only came out intermittently to allow other visitors see the former DG,” said the source.

The source stressed that being a senior operative, he knew when a top security matter was on the table, adding that the alleged meeting between Adamu and Daura last Monday was “beyond ordinary.”

Hooded operatives of DSS who said they were acting on “Orders from above” last Tuesday blocked the entrance to NASS and prevented legislators and workers from gaining entrance for hours.

The blockade was roundly condemned by Nigerians as a threat to democracy. The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said the action was not authorized by the Presidency, and he called it an act against constitutional order. He later that day fired Daura as DSS Boss.

In a preliminary report for the Acting President on the controversial incident signed by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the police accused Mr Daura of working for some politicians for selfish interest, but did not give any name.

He said Mr Daura did not consult with other security agencies before ordering the siege, and questioned the authenticity of a security report that allegedly anticipated a violence at NASS.

Mr Daura was sacked by Mr Osinbajo on Tuesday afternoon. He was immediately handed over to the
police for further interrogation.

The IG said the police have been interrogating Mr Daura in Garki, Abuja, since he was arrested.

“It is crystal clear that the principal suspect Lawal Daura may be acting the script of some highly placed politicians to achieve selfish political goals, hence his unilateral and unlawful decision to invade the National Assembly complex,” Mr Idris said.

One of the visitors to the DSS Headquarters last Monday confirmed to THEWHISTLER that Senator Adamu indeed met for several hours with Daura on that day, making it difficult for many visitors who did not come on appointment to see the former DG.

“I was at the DSS last Monday and actually saw Senator Adamau at the former DG’s office. He came out to the DG’s reception about three or four times so that some visitors could also see the man. I didn’t

know what brought him there but from his looks, it must have been very serious issues,” the source stated.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had alleged that the NASS blockade was a plot by the ruling APC to stop its senators from entering the senate chambers to facilitate the impeachment of Saraki as Senate President following his defection to PDP.

But the APC denied the allegation and accused the PDP of planning violence in the senate to stop Saraki’s impeachment.

Acting President Osinbajo promised the Federal Government will investigate last Tuesday’s siege on the parliament and punish anyone involved.