Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the ongoing crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of tacitly endorsing an anti-democratic scheme to impose his preferred candidate against the will of lawmakers.In a statement issued by his media office, Atiku described the unfolding power struggle as a “betrayal of democracy and a throwback to military dictatorship.”
He criticized the reported use of state-backed security forces to interfere in the Assembly’s leadership, calling it a “blatant abuse of power” that undermines Nigeria’s hard-won democratic principles.Nigerian foodThe crisis erupted after an overwhelming majority of Lagos lawmakers voted to remove former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and elected Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the first female Speaker of the House.What should have been a historic moment for democracy, Atiku said, has instead turned into a battle for control, with allegations that Tinubu and his allies are working behind the scenes to reverse the decision.ALSO READ: Kogi govt secures $500m fund for education, healthcareAtiku cited reports that security operatives stormed the Lagos Assembly complex in an attempt to forcefully reinstate Obasa, a move he likened to the authoritarian tactics of past military regimes.
He argued that such actions validate recent accusations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who accused Tinubu of practicing “selective machine politics” to consolidate power.“Despite his undisputed influence over Lagos politics, President Bola A. Tinubu has remained conspicuously silent on the matter. His refusal to address the crisis suggests a tacit endorsement of the anti-democratic maneuvers aimed at imposing his preferred candidate against the overwhelming will of Assembly members,” Atiku stated.Drawing from Nasir el-Rufai’s critique, Atiku contrasted the noble values of Omoluabi—integrity, fairness, and public service—with the coercive tactics of “Area Boy politics,” where power is retained through intimidation rather than consensus.
He warned that allowing such undemocratic tendencies to fester in Lagos could set a dangerous precedent for governance across the country.
Atiku called on President Tinubu to publicly denounce any attempt to subvert the democratic process in Lagos and to ensure that due process prevails.“Nigeria’s democracy was hard-fought and must not be undermined by those who should be its foremost guardians. What happened at the Lagos State House of Assembly today is nothing short of an assault on democracy. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute in defending the sanctity of our democratic institutions,” he concluded.