The speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda has stated that the full complement of her security had yet to be restored.
Speaking on Friday after a court hearing of a suit filed by Obasa to challenge his removal at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, Meranda said, “I have my people and God with me. Three or four policemen are also with me. Whereas, in my normal convoy, my team comprises two policemen, four DSS, and two anti-bomb operatives. But I don’t have that with me this morning.”
When a reporter asked Meranda, “Can you respond to what happened yesterday when the speaker (Obasa) was at the Assembly…?” she responded by asking, “Which speaker?”
The other lawmakers behind her also joined in querying the reporter.
The reporter retracted, saying, “The removed speaker,” after which Meranda responded to her question.
She said, “I think he (Obasa) is still a member of the Lagos House of Assembly, so he has every right to come. But invasion and breaking into my office is really a big one.”
Meranda declined to comment on whether the House would institute any suit against Obasa for his actions at the Assembly on Wednesday.
She described the plenary held by Obasa on Wednesday as a show of shame.
“To me, that was just a show of shame. Because in our job, we have numbers that form a quorum. So, if you are sitting with three or four members, you’re only doing a drama,” she added.
Meranda said the lawmakers would soon hold their sitting, contrary to Obasa’s declaration that the House had gone on recess.
Also speaking after the court proceedings, the spokesperson for the Assembly, Ogundipe Olukayode, declared that a total of 35 lawmakers, including Meranda, were resolute on the ongoing crisis.
“We are 35 as we speak, including Madam Speaker. The House will reconvene. We are consulting with our leaders, and I know the party is also taking steps. The right thing will be done at the right time. But let’s assure Lagosians that we are still committed to our party, our leadership, and to serving the people of Lagos State.”
Lawmakers demand respect from party leaders
Meanwhile, in separate interviews with Saturday PUNCH, some other lawmakers urged leaders of the party to respect their decision.
The lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency II, David Setonji, said he was fully in support of Meranda’s leadership.
Setonji, who spoke through his media aide, Posu Davies, said Obasa was rejected and would not return as speaker.
He said, “Meranda is the recognised Speaker. Obasa was rejected, and he is not coming back as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. We are fully in support of Madam Speaker.”
Another lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Obasa’s action showed that he could no longer be trusted with power, insisting that the ousted speaker was just grandstanding.
A lawmaker, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, alleged that the President was backing Obasa.
He said, “Obasa cannot be that confident if there is no one backing him. It is President Bola Tinubu who is backing him. The GAC has divided into two; while some support Obasa, others support Meranda. But the larger number supports Meranda.”
A senior legal practitioner, who begged not to be named, said the Federal Government was behind the crisis in the House.
He said, “Where did Obasa get the power to control the police? In the last few days, the DSS director was changed, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos was changed, three House of assembly members were charged. All these point to Abuja.”
GAC, APC react
Meanwhile, the Chairman of GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, said members of the group had already advised the warring parties.
He said, “The GAC is an advisory body, and we have given our advice privately to those involved. What we told them is not meant for the public; the party is in the best position to intervene when things are getting out of hand.”
The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos State, Seye Oladejo, called for peace.
He said, “It is like a quarrel between siblings of the same parents and the parents should not be seen taking sides while trying to make peace. They (lawmakers) were still at the party secretariat yesterday (Thursday) and we are trying to make everybody see reasons that we are all members of the same family.
“While trying to resolve the issue, we are trying to respect the independence of the legislature, so it remains the business of the lawmakers to find an amicable solution and let things return to normal.”
Oladejo denied the involvement of the President in the crisis.
