Atiku cautions FG to stop treating NASS leaders 'like common criminals'

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has warned the federal government and security agencies against treating leaders of the National Assembly like common criminals.

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force blocked the convoy of Senate President, at his Abuja residence at Lake Chad Crescent in Maitama on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The home of his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, was also beseiged by police officers and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his Apo Legislative Quarters residence in Abuja.

While reacting to the actions of security operatives, Atiku released a signed statement where he condemned them as "troubling and unsettling".

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stick to his word and allow the nation's judicial process to take its course without undue interference.

He said, "The news of the sieges on the residences of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, is both troubling and unsettling. No democratic nation ought to treat the leadership of its Parliament like common criminals in the course of a political disagreement.

"I remind the powers that be that on August 31, 2013, when Senator Bukola Saraki walked out of the Peoples Democratic Party and began the process of joining the All Progressives Congress, there was celebration in their camps.

"I also remind them that their electoral victory, which they have so badly mismanaged today, would not have been possible without the Senate President.

"Power is transient and is also a trust that should only be used for the good and advancement of the people one leads and not for the persecution of real and imagined political opponents.

"I therefore call for the lifting of the sieges on the persons and homes of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu by security forces.

"I remind President Muhammadu Buhari of his public words of solidarity to Senator Saraki after his ordeal of malicious prosecution, which thankfully was brought to a halt by the Supreme Court, and I urge him to live up to those words today and always."

Why Saraki, Ekweremadu were hounded by security operatives

The blockade of Saraki's convoy is believed to be in connection to his scheduled meeting with police authorities to answer questions over his alleged links to the criminal gang that carried out the Offa robbery attack that led to the death of 33 people in April.

In a letter of invitation, dated July 24, the EFCC asked Ekweremadu to show up at its office by 10am on Tuesday to answer questions over allegations of money laundering, conspiracy and abuse of office.

The hounding of both leaders led to fears that Senators who are supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari will attempt to remove both leaders of the chamber. This was because of fears that a lot of lawmakers in the Senate were planning to dump the ruling All Progressives' Congress (APC).

It's unclear how Saraki was able to leave his residence after his convoy was blocked, but he arrived the National Assembly complex around 10:30 and presided over the day's session. He announced the defection of 15 senators who dumped the APC as previously feared.

Saraki condemned the siege on Ekweremadu's residence which stopped him from attending Tuesday's plenary.

"As you know the seat of the DSP, Ike Ekweremadu is absent. He cannot get out of his house. He is being held under siege," he said.

Senators agreed to adjourn legislative sessions till September 25.