Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, Esq
Nigerians woke up today to see the ugly side of governance, when hooded officers of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) invaded the hallowed premises of the National Assembly. There was no prior notice of any security issue in that area, to justify the said invasion.
Elected representatives of the people of Nigeria, led by the courageous Honourable Boma, resisted the invasion and called the bluff of the DSS operatives, by taking their rightful space in the National Assembly premises.
Not long thereafter, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association issued a stern statement, warning of dire consequences for the government, if the DSS operatives were not withdrawn.
In a matter of minutes, the Acting President also condemned the invasion and thereafter sacked the Director of DSS.
I salute the courage of the people of Nigeria, especially members of the National Assembly, for their vigilance and courageous actions, to save our democracy. I totally agree with the Statements of the NBA and the Vee Pee.
The Constitution in sections 4, 5 and 6 established the three arms of government of the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary, with separate powers and functions. They are to act independently and autonomously, without any interference from one arm of government in the affairs of the other.
The DSS and the police are all part of the Executive arm of government and it is totally unconstitutional for the DSS to have invaded the premises of the National Assembly in such commando fashion, as if we are under military rule. This happened to Judges of late, when the same operatives of the DSS invaded their homes in the dead of the night.
I commend the action taken by the Acting President, in due consultations with the President, I believe. This should be extended to all other security and law enforcement agencies, to follow the law and observe the due process of law, in all their dealings. Let us never allow security operatives, to take our people for granted.
Nigerian women deserve special commendation and appreciation, for their tireless efforts to rescue and defend our democracy, coming from the Aba Women Riots, to the courageous exploits of Queen Amina of Zaria, the revolutionary strides of Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the sacrifices of Mrs Kudirat Abiola, etc, and now Honourable Boma. Thus, it is expected that the Nigerian government will henceforth assign more roles for women, in order to make them part and parcel of governance.
God bless Nigeria.
•Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, Esq., sent in this piece from RCCG Camp, Ogun State.
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.