Atiku, Senator Condemn Siege At NASS

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned  the blockade early yesterday of the National Assembly gates by security operatives, describing the action as ”illegal and undemocratic’’.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Paul Ibe, in Abuja, Abubakar said that the purpose of the blockade was to force a change in the leadership of the Senate.
The security personnel, who barricaded the entrance to the National Assembly complex as early as 7 a.m., barred some lawmakers of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  from entering the premises.
He condemned “completely, this atrocity and called on 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.”
The former vice president also urged President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to uphold the Constitution and law and order, which they swore to uphold on May 29, 2015.
“We warned that if what occurred in Benue 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’’.
He said that there were better uses of the security forces at this time than to block  the country’s legislature.
“Our people are languishing in the midst of unprecedented insecurity and nationwide killings.
“To, therefore, deploy our security forces in this present manner while Nigerians face these challenges is an abdication of responsibility, to say the least.”
Abubakar advised all Nigerians to be watchful and mobilise to defend democracy, saying that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
Similarly, a member of the Senate, Sen. Isa Misau, says siege at the National Assembly yesterday by Department of State Service (DSS) operatives was a “bad example to other African democracies’’.
Misau, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, said that barricading the gate of the assembly complex and denying some legislators access into their offices was a gross illegality and affront on democracy.
As early as 7 a.m., security operatives blocked the entrance of the complex, barring workers, journalists and some legislators from going in.
The DSS personnel, who were heavily armed and masked, blocked the entrance to the assembly with four Ranger Ford vehicles without number plates.
The development followed calls from the Presidency to lawmakers to reconvene from their recess to approve funds for 2019 general elections.
The assembly commenced its annual recess on July 24 and is billed to resume on Sept. 25 in line with its calendar.
Misau is one of the senators who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People Democratic Party (PDP).
He told newsmen while stranded at the entrance of the assembly complex that legislators were representatives of the people and were also elected to protect the principles of democracy.
According to him, it is unimaginable for a government that promised change, integrity and good governance to descend so low, barricading the entrance to the parliament, the symbol of democracy.
Condemning it, Misau said that such development had never been recorded in Nigeria’s history, not even during the military regimes.
“It has never been heard that security agents will prevent some lawmakers from going into their offices and allow a few to go in without explanation.