The embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday presided over a plenary session attended by only four lawmakers, following a dramatic and controversial return to the Assembly complex.
Reports suggest that security operatives were involved in forcibly opening the chamber doors, allowing Obasa and his loyalists access to the building.
By 3 pm, the plenary session was still ongoing, but a large number of lawmakers – over 26 in total – boycotted the sitting.
It appeared to be a direct show of support for the substantive Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, who has remained at the centre of the ongoing leadership crisis in the Assembly.
The boycotting lawmakers gathered at the Assembly’s garden, where they reaffirmed their February 17 vote of confidence in Meranda, despite Obasa’s return, which was reportedly aided by armed men and suspected political thugs.
A lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, made it clear that the Assembly would not recognise Obasa’s leadership, declaring, “He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. For nearly a decade, we endured his authoritarian style of leadership. Enough is enough, and we are not backing down.”
The controversy surrounding Obasa’s return to the Assembly deepened as supporters of the former Speaker reportedly broke into his office, and suspected thugs were seen occupying key areas of the complex, issuing threats and vowing to seize all offices.
At the same time, access roads leading to the Assembly were blocked by individuals believed to be Obasa’s supporters, who arrived in unmarked buses, causing significant disruptions to traffic and forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
Among those seen accompanying Obasa into the Assembly complex were Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin Constituency I) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency II).
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Reacting to the unfolding chaos, Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, condemned the situation and called for calm.
“This is the Lagos State House of Assembly, and what we are witnessing today is shocking. If there are issues, leadership should address us directly, not resort to this kind of display,” Ogundipe said, expressing his frustration over the ongoing chaos.
Ogundipe further described the incident as an embarrassment, stating that security operatives had even prevented him from accessing the complex.
The crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly shows no sign of resolution, with tensions continuing to rise between factions loyal to Obasa and those backing Meranda.
The situation has drawn widespread concern over the growing instability within the Assembly and the use of force and intimidation in political disputes.
