Obasa Storms Lagos Assembly Complex with Armed Police, Sparks Chaos
The Lagos State House of Assembly was thrown into chaos on Thursday as ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa stormed the complex in an attempt to resume duty, accompanied by heavily armed police officers and civil defence personnel. The dramatic development has escalated the ongoing leadership crisis in the Assembly, leaving lawmakers and staff in disarray.
Obasa, who was removed from office on January 13, arrived at the Assembly complex around 11:30 a.m., flanked by two lawmakers—Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin Constituency I) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency II)—and a group of armed supporters. Eyewitnesses reported that the doors to the Speaker’s office were forcibly opened by Obasa’s loyalists, while access roads to the complex were blocked, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.
Security Withdrawal Leaves Incumbent Speaker Vulnerable
The situation worsened as reports emerged that all security details assigned to the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn earlier in the day. According to an aide to Speaker Meranda, police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were removed without replacement, leaving her exposed to potential threats.
“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we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.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 appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Attempted Return of Suspended Clerk Adds to Tensions
The crisis deepened on Wednesday when Olalekan Onafeko, the suspended Clerk of the House, attempted to resume duty at the Assembly complex. Onafeko, who was removed alongside Obasa on January 13, arrived at the complex accompanied by his lawyer, two security personnel, and unidentified DSS operatives. However, he was politely turned away by security personnel, who informed him that the matter was already in court.
A viral video captured Assembly staff booing and jeering at Onafeko as he was escorted out of the premises. The management of the Lagos State House of Assembly condemned the incident in a statement signed by Chief Security Officer Kushoro Idowu, describing it as an attempt to disrupt the peace and order of the legislative institution.
Background of the Leadership Crisis
The crisis stems from the January 13 removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker by 32 out of 40 members of the Assembly. Following his ouster, 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 failed.
Obasa’s attempt to reclaim the speakership has further polarized the Assembly, with his supporters and opponents locked in a bitter struggle for control. The presence of armed police and civil defence personnel at the complex has raised concerns about the potential for violence and the safety of lawmakers and staff.
Calls for Immediate Intervention
As tensions continue to rise, stakeholders are calling for urgent action to restore order and ensure the safety of Speaker Meranda and the Assembly complex. The withdrawal of security details from Meranda has been widely criticized, with many urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to take immediate steps to address the situation.
The crisis has also drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s legislative institutions, including the politicization of leadership positions and the use of security forces to settle political scores. Observers have warned that the ongoing instability in the Lagos State House of Assembly could undermine governance and public confidence in the legislative process.
The storming of the Lagos State House of Assembly by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his armed supporters marks a dangerous escalation in the ongoing leadership crisis. With the incumbent Speaker left vulnerable due to the withdrawal of her security details, the situation remains volatile and fraught with risk.
As stakeholders call for urgent intervention, the crisis serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for due process in Nigeria’s political institutions. The resolution of this dispute will require decisive action and a commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring that the Lagos State House of Assembly can fulfill its mandate as a pillar of democracy and good governance.
