Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, made a dramatic return to the Assembly complex on Thursday, accompanied by armed police officers and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Reports indicate that Obasa arrived at the premises around noon, heading straight to the Speaker’s office despite the House being on indefinite recess. His return follows the sudden withdrawal of security aides assigned to the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
The situation at the Lagos Assembly has been tense due to an ongoing leadership crisis. According to sources, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) recently ordered the withdrawal of all security personnel attached to Speaker Mojisola Meranda, a move that has left her exposed to potential threats.
An aide to the Speaker confirmed the development, stating that both police and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives assigned to Meranda were removed 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we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.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 vulnerable amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” the aide revealed.
The withdrawal of security personnel has heightened concerns about Meranda’s safety, as the political struggle within the Assembly intensifies. The Speaker’s camp has since called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to step in and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Despite the Assembly being on recess, reports suggest that the doors to the Speaker’s office were forcibly opened, possibly to facilitate Obasa’s re-entry. His visit to the Assembly complex has fueled speculations about his next move, as he continues to challenge his removal from office.
Meanwhile, the political power struggle took another turn on Wednesday when the former and suspended Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, attempted to resume duty at the complex. However, security officials politely turned him away, indicating that tensions within the House remain unresolved.
With the leadership dispute escalating, political observers and stakeholders are urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to take decisive action to restore stability within the Assembly. The sudden withdrawal of security from the Speaker, coupled with Obasa’s bold return, has raised fears of a possible breakdown of law and order.
