The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are in agreement over the Tuesday invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Directorate of State Services which led to the sack of the Director General, Lawal Daura.
Both parties condemned the act in the strongest of terms, with the PD asking the international community not take it lightly.
The APC in a statement by Yekini Nabena, Ag. National Publicity Secretary said : “Our Party wholly dissociates itself from any act of brigandage and affront on the sacred symbols of our budding democracy.
“Our Party remains a law abiding political organisation and advises every constituent part to abide by the tenets of our constitution and our democracy.
“Whilst our contention with the leadership of the National Assembly as currently constituted is a matter of public record, we still believe that the legislature as an independent arm of government must be allowed free reign for vibrant contestation of ideas and values amongst its members within the context of their constitutional mandate and for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
“We call for a more harmonious working relationship between the various Arms of Government in the general interest of the country.”
But, the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, has asked the United Kingdom to expel President Muhammadu Buhari from the country, alleging that the Nigerian leader planned the siege from there.
Buhari is currently in London on a 10-day vacation.
The UK had earlier said it was monitoring the situation in Nigeria and advised on respecting the rule of law and democratic principles.
In the statement signed by his media aide, Ike Abonyi, Secondus said the final plan for the invasion of National Assembly was made when the outgoing Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, visited the president in London at the weekend.
Secondus accused the president of hiding in that country to plan the undermining of democracy in Nigeria.
Secondus said the UK should not allow its environment be turned into a haven for anti-democracy conspirators.
He, however, commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for sacking Daura.
“When an executive arm in a democratic setting muscles up other arms of government, the correct name for such administration is autocracy and dictatorship,” Secondus said.
“Nigerians and international community have continuously watched this administration, harass and intimidate the legislature and judiciary as well as others in opposition in their bid to create a dictatorial regime.
“All over the World, the parliament is the bastion of democracy and rule of law anybody not willing to align himself to them is trying to create anarchy in the land,” he said.
The opposition leader than called on President Buhari to resign.
“We are aware that when a regime exhausts idea of what to do and loses the legitimacy that brought it to power, it could be dangerous like a bull in China shop. But truth is that Nigeria will survive this regime and laugh last.”