Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating the recent invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly by security operatives, amidst the ongoing leadership crisis in the state legislature.
The Lagos Assembly has been in turmoil since the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and the subsequent election of Mojisola Meranda as Speaker in January 2025. The situation escalated on Monday, February 17, when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police stormed the assembly premises and sealed off the Speaker’s office. However, lawmakers and staff members forced the door open, intensifying the standoff.
Atiku Condemns Security Invasion
Reacting to the incident, Atiku, in a statement posted on his official X handle, condemned the presence of security personnel in the legislative complex. He described the invasion as a threat to democracy and accused President Tinubu of being complicit.
“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,” Atiku stated.
He further criticized the action, describing it as a desecration of democratic institutions.
“It is appalling that it is those who claimed to have fought for democracy that decided to sanction this crass desecration of the state’s foremost legislative body, and by so doing, putting our hard-earned democracy in jeopardy,” he added.
The former vice president urged President Tinubu to shift his focus from state-level political disputes to addressing the nation’s economic challenges.
“This act is an attack on the sanctity of democracy and a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate, especially the people of Lagos. 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 a conflict resolution in a parliament is an anathema that should be frowned upon and interrogated with all sense of urgency. Tinubu should focus on bringing Nigeria out of the mess he plunged the country into rather than interfering in state matters,” Atiku concluded.
The situation remains tense as stakeholders await further investigations into the incident. The Lagos State House of Assembly has since suspended plenary indefinitely.
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