That DSS invasion of National Assembly

Last Tuesday, August 7 2018, Nigerians and the international community woke up to behold a strange sight at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Masked security operatives from the Department of State Security DSS, had invaded and blockaded the complex, preventing lawmakers, journalists, workers and Nigerian who had one business or another in the complex from gaining access into it. The siege lasted for some hours before various reactions and interventions brought it to an abrupt end.
To say the least, that invasion apart from stalling legislative business especially the planned meeting of principal officers of the legislature, also caused unimaginable embarrassment to the country. Without doubt, the international community must been shocked to the marrow by the assault on the country’s legislature at a time most of them may have started believing that Nigeria’s democracy is taking root.
Perhaps, it is on this basis and against the backdrop of the legislature being the heartbeat of democracy that the invasion has been widely condemned. Nigerians of all hues and classes have voiced strong disapproval of the unconstitutional and Gestapo like blockade. In the same manner the US, Britain and other advanced democracies have also taken exception to the unbecoming conduct.
We are compelled, going by the frequent assault on the country’s legislalative arm of government to remind all that the legislature is the symbol of democracy. This enviable status which it enjoys stems from the truism that it is distinquishing feature between democracy and military regime or, any other form of government for that matter. Similarly the very crucial function of lawmaking which it is saddled with also makes it a critical arm. These factors as well as the existence of the principle of separation of power, more than make it necessary for other arms of government especially the executive to respect legislative sanctity. Unfortunately, this has not been so in Nigeria especially since President Mohammadu Buhari came to power.
Somehow, the adminstration has redeemed its faltering image by the speedy way it handled the democratic assault. The acting president Prof Yemi Osinbajo we must say here acted well and timely in his decision to sack the Director General of the DSS, Lawal Daura. It is a step in the right direction but, certainly not enough. To fully satisfy Nigerians,a full scale probe must be launched into the heist with the aim of uncovering all that transpired that day. Beyond this, those indicted must also be made to face the music.
We are constrained again in the light of the ugly experience of last week to warn against derailing this democracy. The worst democracy it is said, is better than the best military junta. Again, most of the characters at the political arena should also be told that Nigeria and Nigerians fought so hard to bring democracy after decades of military interregnum. Therefore, present and future generations would never forgive them if they crash it. Democracy has its distinct principles which demand its own peculiar temperance and character. Our elected leaders
Should develop this temperance and accompanying spirit in the interest of our this fledgling democracy. Anything short of this remains unacceptable to the country and the democratic world.