Chaos, confusion trail claims to Lagos Assembly speakership

• Obasa presides over session with four lawmakers, denies occupying Speaker’s office
• Police restore security details for Meranda after withdrawal
• Suspended Clerk Onafeko resumes duty citing court order
• Yoruba Ronu condemns crisis, urges resistance to Tinubu dynasty

Chaos erupted yesterday at the Lagos State House of Assembly as ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa staged a dramatic return to the Assembly complex, asserting his authority despite being removed 45 days ago.

Obasa’s reappearance, accompanied by heavily armed police officers, civil defence personnel, and alleged loyalists, has heightened the ongoing leadership crisis within the Assembly.

The ousted Speaker reportedly presided over a plenary session with only four lawmakers in attendance. There are 40 members in the state assembly, but the majority refused to participate in the session, despite being present at the assembly complex.

Security operatives allegedly forced open the chamber doors to allow Obasa and his supporters access. This development came amid the withdrawal of security details from the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, sparking concerns about her safety and the stability of the Assembly’s leadership.

However, later yesterday, the Lagos State Police Command said it had restored Meranda’s security details. Speaking at a press briefing, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, said four security personnel attached to the Speaker who were earlier withdrawn have since been restored.

He said the details attached to the Speaker and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in the state were withdrawn in accordance with an ongoing audit of police personnel and firearms.

He disclosed that the same audit is currently being conducted in other states Police Commands and not Lagos alone. Obasa arrived at the Assembly complex at approximately 11:30 a.m., accompanied by two lawmakers—Ayinde Akinsanya from Mushin Constituency and Noheem Adams, the reportedly ousted Majority Leader from Eti-Osa.

The return caused significant disruption, with access roads to the Assembly complex blocked by Obasa’s supporters for several hours, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes. All entrances to the complex were sealed off.

Questioned by journalists why he forcefully occupied the Speaker’s office, Obasa denied the claims, challenging reporters to verify the allegations and insisting they were baseless. He reiterated his position as Speaker, arguing that his removal lacked due process.

Later in the day, about 18 lawmakers at the complex addressed the media, expressing displeasure over the unfolding events. They claimed that some lawmakers could not attend the session but noted that divisions had emerged among the members. It was alleged that some lawmakers had abandoned the move to remove Obasa, while others who were still critical of him were suspected to be moles loyal to political leaders backing Obasa.

The lawmakers, who had earlier passed a vote of confidence in Meranda on February 17, reaffirmed their support for her and vowed to stand by their decision.

Addressing journalists, the chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, Stephen Ogundipe, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the unfolding events and urged party leaders to clarify the situation.

In frustration, Ogundipe accused the APC leadership of failing to engage the lawmakers despite their role as elected representatives of their constituencies, just like Obasa.

“This is Lagos, and this is the Lagos State House of Assembly. We have not been approached by our leaders, and we should remain calm and patient until they engage with us. However, we are shocked by what is happening today,” he stated.

Ogundipe emphasised that lawmakers remained law-abiding but demanded respect for their mandates. He criticised the handling of the crisis, describing the situation as embarrassing and unacceptable.

Also addressing journalists within the Assembly, Obasa reiterated that he had not been removed, insisting that claims about his removal or impeachment were undemocratic. “I have said it openly that the removal or impeachment of a sitting Speaker without due process is unconstitutional,” he declared.

When asked why he allegedly broke into the Speaker’s office, as reported, Obasa responded, “Are you saying I broke the door? Go and confirm from your source.”

The drama at the Assembly followed a meeting of party leaders, primarily members of the Mandate Group, with Obasa. Rising from the meeting, which reviewed recent political events and developments within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, the leaders reaffirmed their loyalty, commitment, and support for the political legacies of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The meeting was attended by Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa, Chief Muraina Taiwo, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Monsuru Owolabi, Kolawole Taiwo, Lanre Ogunyemi, and Johnson Babatunde.

The leaders noted that the unity, peace, and political stability in the party and state, built over the years by Tinubu, represent a legacy that must be maintained, preserved, and respected by all loyal party members. They emphasised that this legacy has brought admirable progress and prosperity to Lagos State.

They appealed to all true progressives to shun tribal and ethnic politics, which foster divisiveness and disharmony.The leaders condemned the crisis rocking the Assembly and criticised the actions of its members for failing to consult Tinubu, the party, and other political leaders.

To ensure a strong, vibrant, and united party, the meeting urged Lagos State House of Assembly members to commit to party discipline and respect for party leadership as embodied by Tinubu. They warned that any deviation from this would amount to disloyalty to the party and a disregard for the political system and legacy that produced them.

Commenting on the developments in the Assembly, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Lagos, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, accused Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, of being the forces behind Obasa. He said the actions of the former Speaker demonstrated that Lagos was not practising true democracy.

In another reaction, Akin Malaolu, President of the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, said that bona fide citizens of Lagos must resolve to challenge Tinubu’s political dynasty in the state; otherwise, “the show of shame ought not to have taken place at all in Lagos.”

MEANWHILE, in a statement yesterday, the suspended Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, who has resumed duty, stated that his resumption was based on a court order.

Earlier, Onafeko had approached the National Industrial Court (NIC) to challenge his indefinite suspension by the House. The court ordered his reinstatement pending the determination of the suit filed against the state government and other parties.

Addressing journalists in his office, Onafeko explained that he was appointed Clerk in 2022 to serve a four-year term and is eligible for reappointment under the Lagos State House of Assembly Legislative Service Commission Law. He expressed surprise at his suspension, noting that he was not given prior notice and was unaware of any offence he had committed to warrant such action.

Onafeko stated that with the court’s order reinstating him as Clerk of the House, the judiciary had curbed the illegality and legislative misconduct of the lawmakers.

“By implication, the court has ordered that I resume my duties as the Clerk of the House pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction already filed in the suit. The said order has been duly served on the concerned parties. This is a victory for the rule of law and the ethos of a civil society. The court is indeed the last hope of the common man, including the oppressed,” he said.

Speaking on the crisis, a lecturer, Dr Tunde Akanni, condemned the ongoing turmoil within the Assembly, describing it as a “drama of assault” and expressing concern over the potential abuse of power.

Akanni characterised the events as “a very tense drama” and “rather unfortunate,” expressing hope that the situation would be resolved swiftly. He attributed the conflict partly to the risks of holding power for extended periods, stating, “When people stay too long in power, they abuse longevity.”

“Thirty-seven lawmakers want Obasa to go, so why not technically?” he asked, implying the need for adherence to due process. However, he also voiced frustration with political infighting. “I don’t want to be bothered by what is happening at the House because the politicians don’t care about what is happening to the people,” he remarked.