The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has condemned the ongoing fracas in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly asserting that the country is yet to attain democratic maturity.
The group also criticized the Speaker of the House, Mr Oniofiok Luke and the parties affected All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for being unable to mange the fracas.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, also decried the use of thugs and police to fuel the crisis.
He said, “CISLAC decries the use of thuggery in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the importation of the old Sergeant-at-Arms to the Assembly which escalated the crisis that would have otherwise been managed.
“This is unhealthy for our democracy and has inadvertently caused a step-back in our quest for strong democratic structures.”
Auwal maintained that the use of of tyranny against internal democracy should be discouraged while maintaining that the parties concerned should ensure that the rule of law prevails.
He also enjoined the legislatures to focus on the reason they were elected and build a society bound by justice and equity.
Auwal expressed, “We implore all state actors to put aside personal interests for the sake of the electorates whom they represent.”
“We therefore call on the citizens to insist on a country governed by the rule of law in order to have a society bound by equity and justice, not oppression,” he added.
CISLAC also called on the Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command and all security apparatus in the state to remain neutral and act in line with the constitution and code of ethis guiding them.
