Lagos lawmakers decry DSS, police invasion of assembly as “national embarrassment”
*Pass vote of confidence on Meranda as Speaker
BY KEMI KASUMU
“This is not a government ruled by the barrel of a gun. This is an aberration of democracy and a step toward anarchy. What happened today is a total embarrassment and an act of harassment,” said Abiodun Tobun during the session.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have strongly condemned the invasion of the legislative complex by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police on Monday, labeling the incident a “rape of democracy, an aberration, and a national embarrassment.”
During a plenary session attended by 36 lawmakers, the legislators, who passed vote of confidence on the speaker – Mojisola Lasbat Meranda – expressed outrage over the security operatives’ presence, demanding an explanation from the Lagos State Director of DSS. They also called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate the incident and provide the public with a detailed report.
In addition, the assembly urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately to prevent further escalation of the situation, which they described as a threat to democratic governance in the state.
The lawmakers unanimously condemned the invasion, insisting it was an abuse of legislative procedure and a direct attack on the principles of democracy.
“This is not a government ruled by the barrel of a gun. This is an aberration of democracy and a step toward anarchy. What happened today is a total embarrassment and an act of harassment,” said Abiodun Tobun during the session.
Tobun reaffirmed the lawmakers’ loyalty to the Speaker of the House, stating, “Nobody can dictate to us. God chooses and removes leaders. We are solidly behind your leadership, Mr. Speaker — nobody can remove you.”
Another lawmaker, Gbolahan Yishawu, described the incident as “an unacceptable overreach by security agencies,” emphasizing the importance of an independent legislature.
“The Nigerian Constitution clearly spells out the separation of powers. The legislature is a key pillar of democracy, and any attempt to intimidate or disrupt its activities must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Yishawu said.
The lawmakers suggested that powerful individuals or groups might be behind the invasion, calling for a thorough investigation to uncover those responsible. They maintained that the Lagos Assembly would remain united in protecting the independence of the legislature and ensuring that such actions do not undermine democratic processes in the state.
“We will not allow this incident to go unaddressed. The independence of the legislature is non-negotiable, and we will take all necessary steps to safeguard our democracy,” the lawmakers declared.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS and the Nigeria Police have yet to officially respond to the assembly’s condemnation and demands for an explanation. The silence from the security agencies has further fueled concerns about the motives behind the invasion and the potential implications for democratic governance in Lagos State.
The Lagos Assembly’s call for President Tinubu’s intervention underscores the gravity of the situation. The lawmakers emphasized that the incident not only undermines the legislative process but also sets a dangerous precedent for the future of democracy in Nigeria.
“We urge President Tinubu to act swiftly to address this issue and ensure that such actions are not repeated. The independence of the legislature must be respected, and any attempt to intimidate or disrupt its activities must be met with the full force of the law,” the lawmakers stated.
