By Sadiq Umar – Nigeria’s former Vice President and 2019 presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Tuesday’s deployment of masked men from the State Security Service to the National Assembly, describing it as “an illegal and undemocratic attempt by fascist forces to change the Senate’s leadership.”
Mr. Abubakar, in a statement, urged “all those involved to put Nigeria first and abandon this madness”.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, guarantees both the independence of the Legislature and Separation of Powers. Nigeria is a democracy not a military dictatorship and we the people will never return to tyranny,” he stated.
Mr. Abubakar called “on President Muhammadu Buhari and acting President Yemi Osinbajo to stop hiding behind one finger and live up to their responsibility of upholding the constitution and law and order, which they swore to on May 29, 2015.
“We warned that if what occurred in Benue (State House of Assembly) last week was not checked on time, it would escalate to the federal level. Today we are seeing that warning in play.”
The acting President, being himself a Professor of Law, ought to know that setting such a precedent is an invitation to anarchy.
“There are better uses for our security forces at this time than to lay siege to our citadels of democracy. Our people are languishing in the midst of unprecedented insecurity and nationwide killings.
“To thus deploy our security forces in this present manner whilst Nigerians face these challenges is an abdication of responsibility to say the least.
All Nigerians should be watchful and mobilised to defend democracy. We must remember that ‘eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” Mr. Abubakar added.
