The Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie, has condemned the deployment of soldiers to some states in the South West, particularly Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States.
The member stated this in a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND yesterday in Abuja.
He called on President Jonathan to withdraw the soldiers from the streets of Lagos as the state was not at war.
The statement reads: “It has become imperative for me to join other well meaning Nigerians to condemn the deployment of heavily armed soldiers to some states in the South West, particularly Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States following the peaceful protests by law abiding citizens of this country in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
It is therefore important to state that the presence of soldiers on the streets of these states is only reminiscent of the attitude of military government which the country has since 1999 bid farewell.”
Osagie called on the federal government to focus on the immediate issue at hand by tackling the precarious security situation threatening the existence of the nation.
He warned that if the path of caution is not heeded, citizens could be tempted to resist this act of war on these affected states.
It will be recalled that President Jonathan had on Monday 16, January deployed soldiers to Lagos State to forestall any break down of law and order in the state.
Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State and Professor Wole Soyinka have also condemned the president’s action.