Former
Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the invasion of the Senate chamber
by hoodlums and the carting away of the mace, the symbol of authority.
Reacting
to the incident in a statement from his media office in Abuja on Wednesday,
Atiku described the attack as “a dangerous precedent” and “an assault on
Nigeria’s democracy” by anti-democratic elements.
“I
am utterly embarrassed, shocked and outraged by this ugly development because
it is not only a threat to a major democratic institution, but it also
represents a grave danger to the survival of our democracy,” he said.
Atiku
said that, given the tension in the country, the timing of the attack could not
have come at a worse time for Nigeria; and that using illegal and
unconstitutional methods to threaten the authority of a key democratic
institution is unacceptable, evil, and condemnable.
The
former vice-president noted that it was inconceivable that hoodlums could force
their way into the Senate and take away the mace.
“If
criminals could commit such security breach with impunity, it means that our
entire democracy is in danger,” Atiku said; warning “those behind this
illegality to avoid creating a monster that could consume them.”
Abubakar
reminded Nigerians that so many people died in order to bring this democracy
about, calling for immediate investigation into the incident and the prompt
prosecution of those involved.
“It
is unacceptable and reprehensible to subject the National Assembly to this
intimidation and humiliation. This attack by thugs should not go unpunished, no
matter who is involved,” he added.
He
urged “those pushing the county’s political temperature to dangerous levels” to
desist from it, saying, “they are playing Russian roulette with Nigeria’s
hard-earned democracy.”
He,
however, called for unity, calm and an end to the culture of “political
disunity that is tearing our dear country apart.”
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