Video: Obasa storms Lagos Assembly complex with armed police, Civil Defence
Confusion swept through the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa reportedly attempted to resume office.
Sources revealed that Obasa arrived at the Assembly around 11:30 AM, accompanied by a large contingent of heavily armed police officers and civil defense personnel. His presence caused disruption, particularly since the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was not on-site.
Obasa was joined by two lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya (Osmak) representing Mushin Constituency I, and Noheem Adams, representing Mushin Constituency II.
By the time of reporting, Obasa’s supporters had forcibly opened the doors to the Speaker’s office, and armed individuals were said to be with him, allegedly aiming to seize control and resume office.
Loyalists of Obasa were also said to have blocked access roads to the complex, forcing drivers to seek alternative routes as all entrances were closed off.
Although the House is on an indefinite recess, there are reports that the Speaker’s office doors were forcibly breached.
Additionally, reports emerged that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had ordered the withdrawal of all security personnel assigned to Speaker Mojisola Meranda. This development, which is part of an ongoing leadership struggle within the Assembly, has left the Speaker vulnerable to possible attacks.
An aide to the Speaker, speaking privately to Vanguard, confirmed that both police and DSS personnel were removed from their security posts on Thursday morning without any replacements.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn. This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” the aide disclosed.
The aide further appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.
The crisis escalated further on Wednesday, when Olalekan Onafeko, the former and suspended Clerk of the House, attempted to resume duty at the Assembly complex. However, he was politely turned away by security personnel.
Onafeko, who was removed alongside former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, allegedly arrived at the complex around 9 a.m., accompanied by his lawyer, two security personnel, and unidentified DSS operatives, in an attempt to reclaim his office.
“He, the suspended clerk, was politely told by the lawyer of the State Assembly to leave the complex peacefully as the matter is already in court,” an eyewitness revealed.
A viral video captured Assembly staff booing and jeering at Onafeko, chanting unfavorable slogans as he was escorted out of the premises.
In response to the incident, the management of the Lagos State House of Assembly, through a statement signed by Chief Security Officer Kushoro Idowu, condemned the development.
The crisis stems from the January 13 removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was ousted by 32 out of 40 members of the Assembly. Following his removal, Mojisola Meranda was elected as the substantive Speaker.
Despite interventions from President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), efforts to resolve the leadership dispute have so far yielded no positive results.
As tensions continue to rise, stakeholders are calling for immediate action to restore order and ensure the safety of Speaker Meranda and the Assembly complex.
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