‘Democracy is on trial’ — Saraki’s spokesman reacts to blockade at national assembly

Yusuph Olaniyonu, spokesman of Senate President Bukola Saraki, says democracy is on trial.

Speaking with TheCable on the siege the Department of State Services (DSS) laid to the national assembly on Tuesday morning, Olaniyonu asked Nigerians to stand together in this “trying times”.

“Well, it’s so clear that democracy is on trial. I have been here since morning. We were not given access into the national assembly,” he said.

“Whether you like the leadership of the national assembly or not, there are procedures to follow. This is not what we expect in a democracy.

“I call on Nigerians to come together at this time, this is not just about the national assembly but our democracy.”

The DSS operatives had blocked all the entrances into the national assembly and turned away vehicles conveying workers and national assembly staff.

A legislative source had told TheCable that Ahmad Lawan, senate leader, and some senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met with Lawal Daura, director-general of the DSS, around 1am on Tuesday.

It is not yet clear what the agenda of the meeting was about and no explanation has been given for why the security agency turned back national assembly staff and lawmakers.

On Monday, Senate President Bukola Saraki called for a leadership meeting of the national assembly.

Saraki is also expected to meet with Mahmoud Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as regards the 2019 elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking the approval of N242 billion for the polls.