The former Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa on Thursday with the backing of heavily armed policemen and louts took over the State Assembly.
He forcefully took over the office of the Speaker.
Some of the lawmakers are in the Assembly garden discussing while the former Speaker and his armed men go about their business, while members of staff have carried their bags to leave the premises.
This is the first time he is on the Assembly premises since his removal on the thirteenth of last month while he was away in the United States during the recess of the House.
Earlier today, police withdrew security details attached to the House and the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda.
Chief Obasa had filed a suit against the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda and the House challenging his removal.
The case is yet to come up for hearing.
At the last sitting of the House, on the seventeenth of this month, the lawmakers condemned the presence of operatives of the State Security Services who blocked access to the office of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Clerk.
The officials also attempted to stop the plenary from holding.
The Assembly then adjourned sitting indefinitely.
Lagos Assembly Condemns Police Withdrawal of Security
HOSTILE TAKEOVER: POLICE WITHDRAWAL FROM LAGOS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND INTIMIDATION OF SPEAKER, RT. HON. MOJISOLA MERANDA, SIGNALS DANGEROUS SHIFT IN LAGOS POLITICAL DYNAMICS
Lagos, Nigeria – In an alarming and unprecedented turn of events, all the police escorts assigned to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, as well as the security personnel guarding the Assembly complex, have been withdrawn without any explanation. This sudden action has left the Speaker and the entire legislative house dangerously exposed, raising serious concerns about the motives behind this decision.
It is important to stress that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda was duly elected by her colleagues, and her leadership was reinforced with a strong vote of confidence.
The timing of the withdrawal of security, combined with the hostile actions of the former Speaker and his associates, raises the question: Is this politically motivated, or is this part of a larger strategy to destabilize the current administration?
This troubling development is also noteworthy for what it might signify about the underlying gender dynamics at play. Could this act of aggression be a reflection of the deep-seated bias against female leadership in the political arena? Is Rt. Hon. Meranda’s role as a woman Speaker being used as a justification for such brazen intimidation and disruption?
It has come to our attention that these actions are tied to the ongoing internal power struggle regarding the removal of the former Speaker. Speculation suggests that this latest move is aimed at weakening the current leadership and creating instability within the Lagos State House of Assembly.
We demand an immediate clarification from both the police and the state government on their roles in these actions. The absence of security for those in leadership positions raises serious questions about the safety and protection of public officials in Lagos. If such intimidation can occur at the highest levels, what protection is there for the ordinary citizens of Lagos?
This situation must not be allowed to stand unchallenged. We call for a full investigation into these actions and demand accountability from all involved parties.
Signed:
Victor Ganzallo
Special Adviser on Information to the Speaker
Lagos State House of Assembly