Senate wades into Ekiti Assembly invasion by SSS
Senate wades into Ekiti Assembly invasion by SSS
The Senate has waded into the alleged invasion of Ekiti State House of Assembly by armed operatives of the State Security Service, SSS.
The Senate on Wednesday referred the matter to its Committee on National Security for investigation. The committee has two weeks to report its findings.
“This matter is a very serious matter. Before the Senate jumps into conclusion, an investigation should be carried out,” the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said.
Mr. Saraki said he would not believe the invasion of Ekiti House of Assembly was possible in a democracy.
The resolution to investigate the matter followed a motion by Biodun Olujimi (PDP-Ekiti State) who expressed fear “Nigeria is degenerating to a Gestapo era”.
Mrs. Olujimi said, “On Friday 4, 2016, the hallowed Chambers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was invaded by armed men of the DSS”.
She said the whereabouts of the three lawmakers “abducted” by SSS operatives were still unknown.
“This action is not only unconstitutional, illegal, and unlawful but also a plot to harass the people and government of Ekiti,” she said. “Embarking on political vendetta and muzzling of opposition is dangerous to the survival of democracy in the country.”
The lawmaker said the Senate should prevent a situation that would warrant “invoking that extreme clause to declare of state of emergency in Ekiti State”.
The Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, condemned the development in Ekiti.
“This Motion is coming at a time when we should clearly stand by the truth,” Mr. Ndume said.
He said there are there arms of government in democracy with their rights and privileges clearly defined in the Nigerian Constitution.
He, however, said “what goes around comes around”, suggesting it was payback time for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, accused of similar acts of impunity in the past.
He said what happened in Ekiti was not right but “happened to the right people”.
Referring to the PDP, the deputy leader, Bala Na’allah said, “If you dodge away from your responsibilities, the consequences will haunt you”.
He said SSS officials were used “mercenaries” in the 2015 election by the previous PDP-controlled Federal Government.
