The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed rumours that 27 of its members have defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Labour Party (LP).
In a statement on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Ogundipe Olukayode, described the reports as “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public”.
The Assembly stated that the rumoured defection was intended to “sow discord and confusion within the Assembly and among the good people of Lagos State”.
On Monday, armed security officers from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services reportedly blocked Speaker Mojisola Meranda from entering the chamber for hours. When she eventually presided over the plenary, she became emotional as lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in her leadership.
The state legislature has been in turmoil for weeks following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and the subsequent election of Meranda. While over 36 pro-Meranda lawmakers in the 40-member Assembly have pledged loyalty to her, Obasa has challenged his removal in court, insisting it was unlawful.
The Assembly has described the leadership dispute as an internal matter, clarifying that it does not indicate any intention among members to defect.
“These events in no way suggest any intention by members to leave the party. We emphasise, without any ambiguity, that no member of the Assembly is contemplating defection,” the statement read.
“We were elected under the leadership of the ruling party, which remains united and focused on delivering its mandate to the people of Lagos State. The falsehood being spread originates from agents of destabilisation seeking to create unnecessary tension and division within the Assembly.”