Afenifere National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti
– says he acted on orders of Commander in Chief
– Ohanaeze says NASS blockade another signal Nigeria’s restructuring is due
– Atiku calls for independent probe
– Saraki commends colleagues
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has described the sack of the Directorate of State Security, DSS, Director General, Lawan Daura by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo presumably over Tuesday’s invasion of the National Assembly by security operatives as “unimpressive.”
It condemned the DSS sealing off of the National Assembly Complex, thereby preventing the federal lawmakers from gaining entrance into the complex, as “a crude and barbaric assault on Nigeria democratic institution.”
The group in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said that the sacked DSS boss must have got the directive from the Presidency before taking action against the federal lawmakers.
According to the statement: “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.
“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.”
It saidit “can bet it with anybody that the DG of DSS cannot seal up the National Assembly without the instruction from above.”
The Presidency has, however, denied its connivance in the issue.
– Ohanaeze says NASS blockade another signal Nigeria’s restructuring is due
On its own, the Igbo apex body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Tuesday described the blockade of the National Assembly by the security operatives as a surprise and an impeachable offence in the constitution of the country.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, according to Vanguard, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Barr Uche Achi stated that: “Recent events in Nigeria, climaxing in the blockade and prevention of marked adversary Senators and House Of Reps Members from gaining access into the legislative building altogether, are not coming to us as surprises.
“Instead, they are sprouting in alarming crescendos in crystal vindication of our stand that only a restructured Nigeria can thrive henceforth.
“The foundations of Nigeria have been pulverized and until restructured will continue to nosedive irretrievably and I liken the situation to Ola Rotimi’s adage in The gods are not to blame.
“Until the rotten tooth is pulled out the mouth must chew with caution”.
“The National Assembly is the precinct of democracy and should never be visited by or with executive lawlessness wrapped in discernible hocus pocus.
“The event of today (Tuesday) in particular is raw as it is a clueless brandishing from the executors. Nothing more can be an impeachable offence than this callous desecration of the National Assembly which is the symbol of democracy. To offer any reason(s) for this igneous and ignominious display is to merely dwell in whipping sentiments.
“It is obvious from the prevailing circumstances that neither the Police nor the DSS has been or can be queried because they are acting on “instructions from above” to the chagrin of helpless and horribly dumbfounded Nigerians.
“If Mr Daura, the DG, DSS is neither suspended nor sacked after today’s (Tuesday’s) event so that Mr Idris, the IGP will take caution (or follow suit), l will resign to fate.”
Atiku calls for independent enquiry, commends Osinbajo,
On his own, former Vice President and a presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, called for an independent judicial panel of inquiry to investigate Tuesday’s incident at the National Assembly, to get to the root of the matter so that those responsible can be identified and punished.
In a statement, he said: “These are delicate times for Nigeria and all lovers of democracy and the rule of law must be extra watchful, lest anti-democratic forces take advantage of all we have worked hard to build,” he added.
However, he commended Osinbajo for listening to what he called “the clarion call of Nigerians” and also for taking action to “halt the illegal and anti-democratic siege” of the National Assembly by men of the Department of State Security.
He noted that by sacking the Director General of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura, the acting President has given meaning to the “cries of Nigerians” that we will not tolerate such anti-democracy actions.
He gave his utmost support to the action and called on all statesmen and political leaders to put aside partisanship and rally round the acting President during these fragile times for our democracy.
– Saraki breezed into National Assembly, greets colleagues
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, breezed into the National Assembly on Tuesday, accompanied by a retinue of aides to greet jubilant senators and members of the House of Representatives.
He and his aides, as reported by Punch, entered the National Assembly soon after the DSS called off its siege to the legislative building.
But, he left again after exchanging pleasantries with lawmakers.
