Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the armed invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing it as “utterly reprehensible” and calling for a comprehensive investigation.
Condemnation of Security Deployment
Security operatives were reportedly deployed to force a leadership change within the Assembly— a move Atiku criticized as a “crass desecration” of the legislature and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku’s Statement
In a post on his official X account on Monday, Atiku acknowledged that leadership disputes within a parliamentary system are not unusual in a democracy. However, he stressed that the involvement of armed forces in legislative affairs is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed.
“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,” he stated.
“However, the involvement of armed forces in parliamentary matters is an anathema that should be frowned upon and interrogated with all sense of urgency.”
Criticism of President Tinubu
Atiku also took aim at President Bola Tinubu, urging him to prioritize resolving Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges rather than interfering in state matters.