Jelili Gbadamosi
Former Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura, has defended his decision to block access to the National Assembly during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that he did not require authorisation from the President or then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
Daura, who is currently the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Movement, APM, made the disclosure on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Speaking about the controversial incident, the former DSS director-general said he acted based on what he believed was necessary at the time and did not need to seek permission from political authorities before taking the action.
“No way. I don’t need any authority. That has nothing to do with it. I don’t need his permission. I don’t need the permission of the president to do what I think should be done,” Daura said.
He explained his position by comparing his actions to those expected of a police officer who encounters an imminent crime, arguing that security personnel are sometimes required to act immediately rather than wait for instructions from their superiors.
Daura also dismissed any suggestion that he regretted ordering the closure of the National Assembly gates, maintaining that he remains convinced that his decision was justified.
“I never regretted it. I will never regret,” he said.
The blockade of the National Assembly occurred in August 2018 while Osinbajo was serving as Acting President. The incident generated widespread controversy and drew criticism over the role of security agencies in the affairs of the legislature.
