-Police Denies Involvement
– APC Distances self from Invasion
– We are monitoring events in Nigeria, says UK government
-Nass Leadership accused executive of complicity
-David Mark and 48 other senators passed vote of confidence on Saraki
– Saraki sets to address world press conference soon
-PDP demanded prosecution of invaders, says invasion was done base on president Buhari’s approval
-Deport Buhari now, Secondus tells UK government
-It was an impeachable offence, Ndigbo says
-It’s an assault on democracy, Nigerians react
Following the sack of Mr. Lawal Daura, the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS) on Tuesday by the Acting President, prof Yemi Osinbajo, more facts have emerged over what went wrong.
Starnews authoritatively gathered that the DSS boss was sacked by the VP for laying siege on the National Assembly complex and refused to obey the directive issued by the vice president to remove the siege. “His disobedience to the VP directive directive earned him a sack letter”, according to the source who pleaded anonymity.
The source revealed further that the invasion of the National Assembly was done unilaterally by Daura without consulting the presidency and does not have the approval of the president to do so.
A new acting DSS Director-General has however been appointed.
He is Matthew B. Seiyefa, who until his appointment was the director in charge of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS), an institution established in 2005 as the cardinal training institution for the SSS.
Following the sack of Daura, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, has denied police involvement and complicity in the invasion of the National Assembly.
Idris stated this after a closed door meeting with the acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has also distanced self from having knowledge of the invasion of the National Assembly.
More reactions have also trailed the invasion of the National Assembly complex by personnel of the DSS.
The British government hinted that it was aware of media reports of the situation at the National Assembly and is “closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria.”
In a statement issued by Joe Abuku, spokesperson for the UK Embassy, on Tuesday, the UK government said it would only support democratic process in Nigeria.
Sahara reporters reported that the spokesman of the UK government said :
“We are aware of media reports of a situation at the National Assembly this morning. We are closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria.
“The United Kingdom supports a process whereby the people of Nigeria can exercise their democratic right to vote and be voted for. We favour a free, fair, credible and peaceful process and the independence of institutions, which allow for that.”
Also, the leadership of the Nigeria’s National Assembly has accused the executive of complicity in the matter (invasion of the National Assembly).
The Senate and House of representatives both alleged that the invasion of the Two Assemblies complex by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) was an attempt by the executive and APC lawmakers to reposition leadership of the National Assembly.
They however insisted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) lack the required numbers to impeach Senate president Bukola Saraki and speaker Yakubu Dogara.
Senate president, Bukola Saraki, may address a world press conference over the matter very soon according to a senior member of the assembly who is also a member of the leadership of the assembly.
Meanwhile, Senator David Mark, and 48 other senators had on Tuesday also passed a vote of confidence on Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
The senators in a two-page letter appended to by all the 49 lawmakers affirmed their support for the current leadership of the Senate
Similarly ,the Opposition peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded for the immediate prosecution of all the invaders.
The party through a statement made available on Tuesday indicted the executive of being behind the illegality done by the DSS director.
The PDP said that the invasion by the DSS and Police was with the absolute knowledge and approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, Osinbajo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that Daura’s sack was an afterthought, diversionary and deceitful.
“The action of security agents that blocked the National Assembly is treasonable and must attract appropriate sanctions under our law. It is not enough to take populist approach of easing Daura out of office.
“Our party demands an immediate investigation by an independent panel of inquiry headed by a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria to examine the remote and immediate cause of the invasion.
“Moreover, Section 16 of the Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017, provides that any person, who by any act, obstructs members of the National Assembly from performing their legislative duties, is liable and punishable by imprisonment,” part of the PDP statement read.
Some notable Nigerians have accused the executive under President Buhari of using the sack DSS boss as scape goat to divert attention of Nigerians and international communities.
Lere Olayinka wrote on his tweeter page :”They got condemnation from home and abroad and they opted for Daura as sacrificial lamb. If @ProfOsinbajo want Nigerians to believe that he was not part of the NASS coup today, he should sack the IGP too.
#SaveOurDemocracy
#SackIGPnow”
In his response, One Osita Chidoka who also condemned the act, demanded for a board of inquiry over the matter.
“The DSS DG was just a fall guy. Those behind this are still at large and they will try again, but I want to assure the next security Chief that attempts this that even if he is not fired, he will be banned for life from getting a US/UK visa,”senator Ben Bruce said this in his own response.
“What happened today in the National Assembly is a great assault on Democracy. It is an assault on the premises of the National Assembly”, Mark Jacob said while commenting on the ugly trend.
Mr Uche Secondus said the UK government should deport president Muhammadu Buhari from UK while giving his reaction.
Governor Ortom of Benue State said the sack of DSS boss was a right step in good direction.
While reacting, Deji Adeyanju said :
“Some clowns expect us to fold our hands and watch Buhari destroy Nigeria.
Buhari and Osinbajo planned all that happened today, gave the orders to the security agencies then paid APC Senators to go carry out the plan but we resisted them to save our DEMOCRACY.”
The Ohaneze Ndigbo, the Igbo apex body, has described the invasion of the National Assembly as an impeachable offence.
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