Atiku reacts to armed invasion of Lagos Assembly

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly by armed security operatives, describing the incident as “utterly reprehensible” and a threat to democracy.

In a statement posted on his official X handle, Atiku expressed shock over reports that the operatives were allegedly deployed to enforce a leadership change within the House. He criticized the move, calling it a “crass desecration” of the legislative arm and an attack on the democratic process.

“It is appalling that those who once claimed to have fought for democracy are now undermining it,” he stated. “This act puts our hard-earned democracy in jeopardy and is a landmark of indignity to the Nigerian electorate, especially the people of Lagos.”

Atiku emphasized that leadership disputes within a legislative house are a normal occurrence in a democratic system and should be resolved through dialogue, not military-style intervention. He decried the use of armed forces in legislative matters, labeling it an “anathema that should be interrogated with urgency.”

In a direct jab at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku accused him of interfering in Lagos affairs rather than focusing on addressing the economic challenges facing the country.

“Tinubu should focus on bringing Nigeria out of the mess he plunged the country into rather than interfering in state matters,” he added.

The viral video of the armed invasion has sent the online community on frenzy, with many Nigerians calling for an independent investigation into the incident.