Confusion engulfed the Lagos State House of Assembly as ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa stormed the complex on Thursday, allegedly attempting to resume duty.
According to sources, Obasa arrived at the Assembly around 11:30 AM, accompanied by heavily armed police officers and civil defence personnel. The development has thrown the Assembly into disarray, especially as the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was reportedly absent from the scene.
Two out of 39 lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya (Osmak), representing Mushin Constituency I, and Noheem Adams, representing Mushin Constituency II, accompanied Obasa to the complex.
As of the time of filing this report, the doors to the Speaker’s office had been forced open by Obasa’s loyalists.
Some armed miscreants were also said to have accompanied Obasa to the complex to take possession and resume office.
The access roads to the complex have been taken over by individuals suspected to be Obasa’s loyalists, forcing motorists to use alternative routes as all entrances have been blocked to traffic.
Although the House is currently on an indefinite recess, reports indicate that the doors to the Speaker’s office have been forcibly opened.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, had ordered the withdrawal of all security details assigned to Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
The development, which comes amid a leadership tussle within the Assembly, has left the Speaker vulnerable to potential attacks.
An aide to the Speaker, speaking in confidence to Vanguard, confirmed that security personnel, including police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were withdrawn on Thursday morning without any replacement.
“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we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.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.
