Full Transcript Of Saraki’s World Press Conference On DSS NASS Invasion

Below is Saraki’s full speech:

It is a matter of record that yesterday, lawmakers and staff of the
National Assembly were prevented from entering the National Assembly
Complex by heavily armed security agents of the Department of State
Services (DSS). All entries to the Complex were blocked. The National
Assembly, the seat of democracy in Nigeria, was under lockdown.
Senators and Members of the House of Representatives were prevented
from gaining access.

2. The ensuring standoff was a show of shame that played itself out
over several hours in full view of the country. In no circumstances
should this have happened. And we as a nation reaped the bitter fruits
instantaneously, as evident in media images relayed around the world,
images that shame us as a democratic nation. The siege was also an
act of cowardice by those seeking to carry out an illegal impeachment
of the leadership of the Senate in flagrant disregard of the law. People
who seek control at all costs, by whatever means, never minding the
injury to democratic norms.

3. I have to say that this is not about me – Abubakar Bukola Saraki as
an individual. It is not about Ike Ekweremadu, nor is it about Yakubu
Dogara. I am speaking for my colleagues when I say that this is about
the soul of Nigeria, what we represent as a country, and our standing
in the comity of nations. This is a country where so much is expected
of us, so many rungs of the ladder that we are supposed to have
ascended as a nation. Instead we are wallowing in impunity and illegal
show of force, all of which slowpoke our progress.

4. This is most disheartening. I don’t get any joy in saying: I said so. I
don’t. However, some of you may recall that about two years ago, I
stated that there was a government within this government, to a
purpose that was not in the interest of what the people voted for. I
said it then, and now we are beginning to see the manifestations of
that government within a government. It beats one’s imagination how
the head of an agency could have authorized the brazen assault on the
legislature that we saw yesterday. Despite the threat to our lives, we
shall continue to fight impunity and injustice in this country.

5. Happily, by the actions that Nigerians took yesterday, they
demonstrated our strong resolve as a nation not to give ground to
oppression. The legislature, more than any other institution in this
country, more than any other arm of government, represents the will of
the people. We are elected by the people, and an assault on the
legislature is an assault on the people of Nigeria. The forcible
shutdown of the legislature was an unconscionable assault on a
national institution, and thanks to all your efforts, the aggressors have
been put to shame.

6. The resistance mounted by staff of the National Assembly, my
colleagues in both chambers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
who refused to leave the entrance of this Complex until the siege was
broken, strengthens my faith in the people of this country. The rain
fell, the sun rose, but Nigerians stood their ground in defence of
democracy. With the strength of will demonstrated by everyone against
unwarranted and unconstitutional militaristic might, the siege could
not stand.

7. By this, we have shown that Nigerians can resist government within
government in whatever guise, and this is humbling for me. Those who
sought to attack the National Assembly under my leadership for their
selfish ends have only affirmed my belief in this country. They
attempted to execute an illegal impeachment of the leadership of the
Senate without the backing of the law, but they faltered. I am confident
that, together, we shall always defeat acts of unconstitutionality. The
rule of law shall always prevail.

8. I want to thank Nigerians, Senators, Members of the House of
Representatives and National Assembly Staff, for standing up to be
counted for democracy during yesterday’s siege. I thank the thousands
who monitored the situation on radio, television and social media,
voicing their outrage at the siege, thereby sending a clear message to
those that hatched the plot that the Nigerian public would not buy this
act of gangsterism using instruments of state such as the DSS.

9. I also thank the international community – particularly the European
Union – and the international press, for their prompt reactions to the
invasion of the National Assembly. CSOs and Socio-cultural groups
were emphatic in their statements during the crisis, and we very much
appreciate their vigilance.

10. Among the many that come up for special mention, I believe that
Honourable Boma Goodhead, a member of the House of
Representatives, stands out. She looked a masked security operative in
the eye and dared him to shoot. She let it be known that Nigerians
would not stand for the barricade at the National Assembly, that we
would not be cowed. It was another pointer to what is possible in this
country when women take their place in leadership.

11. I applaud all who kicked against the atrocity and who stood firm
until sanity prevailed. I am proud of how everyone conducted
themselves in what was no doubt a tense standoff. The principled
stance and defiant reactions to the ugly incident, proved crucial to the
failure of the plot. This is what we have been saying about the power
of the people. The role of the people in defending democracy is
paramount.

12. I thank the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his handling
of the situation we were all confronted with yesterday. His decisive
action went a long way towards restoring confidence. It sent a
powerful message – that the DSS cannot be recklessly deployed
against institutions of our democracy. The path of leadership is not by
party, and we must commend it wherever it is found. Mr. Acting
President did the right thing. However, the damage control so far does
not address the question of how this atrocity happened in the first
place.

13. This is an incident concerning which we have it on good authority
that it has been in the planning for months, and yet it was allowed to
happen. How is it that such an atrocity was not prevented? How is it
that the masterminds were not deterred? Very serious questions remain
that can only be answered by a full investigation. We call for an
investigation, and we demand that all perpetrators are brought to
book. We owe it to ourselves to ensure that such a situation never
occurs again. Many agencies have abused their powers and acted
outside the ambit of the law on occasion. Where abuses occur, similar
actions must be taken immediately and full investigation instituted.

14. I must say that when we fought for Change, we could not have
envisaged a scenario such as unfolded yesterday – an atmosphere
where people cannot tolerate dissent, or mere differences of opinion
as to the future of our dear country. This is not the Change we fought
for. We did not fight for instruments of state to be used to oppress
Nigerians and their lawmakers. I know that I, certainly, did not fight
just so the legislature could be undermined and subjected to this
onslaught.

15. There are many lessons to be drawn from the ugly incident we all
witnessed yesterday. For one, government must ensure that security
agencies remain neutral and act in line with the position of the
constitution as well as their enabling laws. Heads of Agencies should
be accountable, and those who step out of line must be held
responsible for their actions. Enough with impunity. Enough with the
reckless and senseless deployment of militaristic force. Enough.

16. In this dark cloud, we can see the silver lining, and that silver
lining is the commitment of Nigerians to defending their hard-won
democracy. I am more than encouraged by the strength, the
determination and the resolve of ordinary Nigerians to see to it that
democracy survives and thrives in this country. I am also strengthened
by the determination of the media to report and analyse the truth as
they see it.

17. I want to reassure Nigerians that, on our part, we remain committed
to working for a country governed by the rule of law. Our desire is to
have a society where there will be equity and justice, not oppression.
We stand committed to doing our utmost as lawmakers to ensure that
the responsibility and functionality of governance are met. Although
we are on annual break, we are daily reviewing the situation and are
alive to the responsibility to take action as necessary. Unfortunately,
yesterday’s shutdown prevented us from meeting with INEC, as
scheduled, to address funding concerns. We will continue to look into
the matter. In the spirit of that, we also appeal to Mr. President to sign
the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill which has been sent for his
assent.

18. I remain confident in the support of my colleagues and their focus
on the job at hand, which is to serve the Nigerian people. My
confidence is unshaken. I remain committed to the success of the
historic 8th National Assembly, and to the continued progress of our
count.