Practical dictatorship by the Obasanjo administration may have commenced, as the Nigerian government finally began to use the force of state against opposition politicians as they gathered in Abuja to muster some strength against their immensely powerful incumbent and former military General - Olusegun Obasanjo. The action is reminiscent of past brutal regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.A combined team of security operatives from Aso Villa, led by Col. Kayode Are (retd) Director-General State Security Services (SSS), and FCT Police Commissioner, Lawrence Alobi, Wednesday aborted a meeting of anti-third term members of the National Assembly and civil society groups.
The SSS DG turned back General Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Prof Ben Nwabueze, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, and a horde of members of the House of Representatives, from entering the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, venue of the meeting.
Buhari who came exactly 8.02 pm was shocked to find the venue locked. He went back immediately, saying, “democracy is dead in this country.”
The action of the security agents led to a shouting match between the members and the and the police. In the process, Hon. Francis Amadiegwu from Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Imo State, was dragged on the floor by one of the operatives.
Hon Uche Onyeagucha insisted that the meeting must hold at the lobby of the hotel, which drew the anger of the police, who cocked their guns and called for reinforcements. The FCT police boss insisted that the conveners did not obtain police permission and clearance.
“This is not National Assembly premises. This is an hotel, a public place, they should have obtained police clearance and permission before holding any meeting. No meeting will hold here this night because I have orders to stop it, and I will stop it,” Alobi said.
Hon. C.I.D Maduabum, from Anambra State, lambasted the police for allowing themselves to be used to scuttle democracy, saying, “this is regrettable.”
Amadiegwu described Wednesday as the darkest day in his life, lamenting that the same police they voted money for have now turned their guns against lawmakers.
“It is rather unbelievable,” he said.
Prof. Sola Adeyeye said that Nigeria is back to the Abacha days but assured that God was in perfect control.
Hon. Usman Bugaje said democracy is dead from the events of the last three weeks in the country.
“We all know that it will soon come to an end,” he added.
The disrupted meeting was, however, shifted to lodge of the Niger State governor in Abuja.
The SSS DG turned back General Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Prof Ben Nwabueze, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, and a horde of members of the House of Representatives, from entering the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, venue of the meeting.
Buhari who came exactly 8.02 pm was shocked to find the venue locked. He went back immediately, saying, “democracy is dead in this country.”
The action of the security agents led to a shouting match between the members and the and the police. In the process, Hon. Francis Amadiegwu from Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Imo State, was dragged on the floor by one of the operatives.
Hon Uche Onyeagucha insisted that the meeting must hold at the lobby of the hotel, which drew the anger of the police, who cocked their guns and called for reinforcements. The FCT police boss insisted that the conveners did not obtain police permission and clearance.
“This is not National Assembly premises. This is an hotel, a public place, they should have obtained police clearance and permission before holding any meeting. No meeting will hold here this night because I have orders to stop it, and I will stop it,” Alobi said.
Hon. C.I.D Maduabum, from Anambra State, lambasted the police for allowing themselves to be used to scuttle democracy, saying, “this is regrettable.”
Amadiegwu described Wednesday as the darkest day in his life, lamenting that the same police they voted money for have now turned their guns against lawmakers.
“It is rather unbelievable,” he said.
Prof. Sola Adeyeye said that Nigeria is back to the Abacha days but assured that God was in perfect control.
Hon. Usman Bugaje said democracy is dead from the events of the last three weeks in the country.
“We all know that it will soon come to an end,” he added.
The disrupted meeting was, however, shifted to lodge of the Niger State governor in Abuja.
