Newly-elected Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda has moved into office of the speaker at the assembly complex amid fears of a looming showdown with her predecessor, Mudashiru Obasa, who is still laying claim to the seat.
To avert the breakdown of law and order which could arise at the resumption of plenary on Monday, security measures were beefed up at the assembly as she moved to the office.
The ousted Speaker, Obasa, at the weekend, returned to the state two weeks after his removal by 32 of the 39 Assembly.
Obasa, who received a “heroic welcome” from supporters at his residence in Ikeja on his return, insisted that he remained the speaker “until the right thing has been done”, claiming that he was illegally removed.
This created an atmosphere of apprehension and fear of a potential showdown should Obasa grace the plenary session on Monday (today), leading to the deployment of heavy security apparatus around the Assembly complex to forestall any eventuality.
Monday’s plenary makes it the third session presided over by Meranda since Obasa’s removal, with the former speaker absent at the last two sittings.
Meanwhile, security personnel screened journalists and other individuals at the entrance before being allowed access into the Assembly complex on Monday.
At least three police vehicles are stationed at the assembly’s main gate with other security vehicles sighted inside the complex as the lawmakers prepare to hold a plenary.
A policeman told NEW DAILY PRIME that the heightened security measures were part of the move to prevent a breakdown of law and order at the assembly.
Meranda on Monday arrived the assembly complex into hands of lawmakers who showed solidarity and posed for some photographs amid cheering of “Madam Speaker.”
