Lawal Daura says he needed no authority to shut NASS gate during Buhari regime
Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the Department of State Services and vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Movement, said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday that he did not need any authority from then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo or President Muhammadu Buhari to shut the gates of the National Assembly during Buhari’s administration. '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,' he stated.
Daura compared his decision to that of a police officer who witnesses a crime about to be committed, arguing that immediate action is required without waiting for superiors. He emphasized that he has no regrets and will never regret the blockade, which occurred amid tensions between the executive and legislature.
The statement reignites concerns over the independence of Nigeria’s security agencies and their willingness to act outside constitutional chains of command. For citizens, it raises questions about the balance between security prerogatives and democratic oversight, especially as Daura seeks national office under the APM banner.
In a democracy where the National Assembly holds legislative power, should security chiefs be allowed to bypass civilian authority based on personal judgment, or must strict legal protocols govern such actions?