Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his silence on the ongoing crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing it as an implicit approval of anti-democratic tactics aimed at undermining the lawmakers’ will.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku condemned what he termed “backdoor tactics” and the use of state-backed security forces to overturn the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, despite being voted out by a majority of Assembly members.
Earlier on Thursday, Obasa had forcefully entered the Lagos Assembly complex, insisting he remained the Speaker, even as most lawmakers opposed his return.
Atiku argued that Tinubu’s silence on the crisis casts doubt on his commitment to democratic principles, especially in light of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s recent claims that the president engages in selective political control.
“Despite his undisputed influence over Lagos politics, President Bola Tinubu has remained conspicuously silent. His refusal to address the crisis suggests an implicit endorsement of the anti-democratic maneuvers aimed at imposing his preferred candidate against the overwhelming will of Assembly members.
“This silence is both deafening and deeply troubling,” Atiku stated.
He accused Tinubu of reducing Lagos politics to a struggle between the noble values of *Omoluabi*—which emphasize integrity, fairness, and public service—and the coercive tactics of *Area Boy* politics, where power is maintained through force rather than consensus.
Atiku urged the president to publicly denounce any attempts to subvert democracy in Lagos and to ensure that due process is respected.
“Nigeria’s democracy was hard-fought and must not be undermined by those who should be its foremost defenders. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to remain vigilant and steadfast in protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions,” he said.
