April 19, 2018

Some Lagos-based professionals have described Wednesday’s invasion of the senate and subsequent snatching of the mace by alleged thugs as an affront on every gain made in Nigeria’s democratisation.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that politicians by now ought to shun hooliganism as a medium of political expression after 18 years of civil rule in the country since 1999.

NAN reports that some people suspected to be thugs invaded the hallowed chamber of Nigeria’s Senate on Wednesday during plenary session and made away with the mace of the chamber.

The hoodlums went away with the mace after overpowering the security details attached to the chamber.

Dr Omoniyi Ajulor, a university lecturer at the Lagos State University,  he said such an action was a reminder that quite a number of Nigerian politicians were yet to imbibe a democratic mindset.

He said democracy was about attitude, character and making decisions as much as about voting.

“That is why there is a broad distinction between democracy and democratisation- the former makes reference to voting while the latter talks about attitudes, tendencies, and mindsets of a democrat.

“From where we as a nation have been journeying from since the Fourth Republic commenced in 1999, one will expect that hooliganism and violence should have become a thing of the past in politics today,’’ he said.

Mr Dotun Adetunji, a former chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Chapter, said the Senate’s imbroglio on Wednesday was indicative of the character of some politicians and politicking in the country.

“It is such occurrence that makes many of us question whether one can actually claim that Nigerian politicians are gentlemen and women in the real sense,’’ he said.

Adetunji urged the electorate to ensure to vote into office men and women of sound character in the 2019 elections.

Rev.Fr. Damian Alozie, the Parish-Priest of Sacred Heart, Catholic Church, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, urged politicians to conduct themselves in such a way that could advance the nation’s democratic process.

He added that Nigerians in general needed to always uphold the tenets and ethics of democracy, saying no democratic nation survived without abiding by the values and principles of governance.

“We have reached a point to know that violent approach to problem-solving is not in our interest.

“The Senate happening of Wednesday is definitely a minus to our international image,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the Police on Thursday said they had recovered the mace at the Abuja City Gate.

Deputy Force Public Relations, Force Headquarter, Aremu Adeniran said in a statement that the mace was found by a patriotic passer-by and alerted the police.