There was tension at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday morning as officers of the Directorate of the Department of State Services (DSS) invaded the Assembly in an attempt to stop the lawmakers from sitting.
The DSS officials were said to have arrived at the House and after gaining access, took over the chamber preventing the lawmakers and staff who had to force themselves in for the day’s activity.
Speaking later on the floor, the members described the action of the DSS as a rape of democracy.
Raising the issue, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho II) said what happened at the House was an injury to democracy.
“Today, the proceedings were supposed to start by 12 noon. But what we met on the ground was amazing. We met DSS officials with some of them in the chamber and heavily armed. We don’t know why they did that, he said.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Adewale Temitope, said the incident marked a history that cannot be forgotten.
“Today will be a day I will never forget in my life as a parliamentarian.
Today, we have seen beyond what we ever thought could happen at the foremost House of Assembly,” he said.
Another lawmaker, Tobun Abiodun said democracy was being threatened by the incident.
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“This is democracy. It is not a government by barrels of guns. We were elected to represent our people and we have that right to represent them well.
“We all fought for democracy to stand. What happened today is harassment and we believe that the security operatives who carried it out were not sent but simply want to impress some powers.
“If someone feels aggrieved, he should go to a court of competent jurisdiction rather than for some DSS officers to invade the House. It is a national embarrassment to democracy,” Tobun said.
Speaking on the motion, Hon. Lanre Afinni recalled how he and some of his colleagues were earlier arrested by the DSS with no definite reason order than the removal of the former Speaker.
“This action of the DSS has taken us back,” he said pleading with the National Assembly to rescue the State House of Assembly.
Hon. Steve Ogundipe said the House was not fighting anyone even as he condemned the incident that happened.
Supporting his colleagues, Gbolahan Yishawu expressed shock and embarrassment at what happened.
“As we know, an attack on the parliament is a direct attack on democracy. It is the parliament that tells us we have democracy.
“If the parliament is invaded, then what Asiwaju fought for, went on exile for, becomes meaningless,” he said calling on the DSS to address the invasion of the parliament.
Contributing, Hon. Sobur Oluwa said the incident was unprofessional on the part of the DSS.
“I am still shivering at the way this happened. We have decided that we want someone else to protect the interest of our people. I don’t think it should be an issue,” he said.
The House thereafter passed a vote of confidence on Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda amid cheers and chants of solidarity songs by staff of the House.
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