Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the presence of operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing it as an unacceptable act in a democratic society.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku condemned the deployment of security personnel, stating:
“The viral video of armed security operatives invading the Lagos State House of Assembly is utterly reprehensible and stands condemned.”
Atiku demanded a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly reports suggesting that the DSS operatives were enforcing a leadership change within the Assembly.
“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 stated.
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He further accused certain individuals, who once advocated for democracy, of now undermining the very principles they once fought for.
“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.”
Describing the development as a direct attack on Nigeria’s democratic values, Atiku warned that such actions **pose a significant threat to governance and the electoral process.
“This act is an attack on the sanctity of democracy and a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate, especially the people of Lagos,” he said.
While acknowledging that internal leadership disputes are normal in democratic institutions, Atiku condemned the use of armed operatives to settle parliamentary conflicts.
“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.”
Atiku also took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of interfering in state matters instead of focusing on critical national issues.
“Tinubu should focus on bringing Nigeria out of the mess he plunged the country into rather than interfering in the state matters,” he said.
In response, the Department of State Services (DSS) defended its deployment, stating that it acted upon an official request from the Lagos State Assembly, citing security concerns.
