By Friday Omosola and Damilola Olufemi
The Lagos State House of Assembly has been a hub of political activity since its inception. The once eyed Assembly by opposition with a history of conflicts and power struggles that have shaped the state’s politics.
From its early days to the present, the Assembly has been a battleground for politicians seeking to assert their influence and control.
Founded in 1979, following the introduction of the presidential system of government in Nigeria, the first Assembly was dominated by the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), with the party’s candidate, Lateef Jakande, serving as the first Governor of Lagos State.
However, the Assembly’s early years were marked by conflicts between the UPN and the opposition National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
The conflicts often boiled over into physical altercations, with lawmakers trading blows and insults on the floor of the House.
The return to democracy in 1999 after the military regime abolished the Assembly brought a new era of politics to Lagos State, with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) emerging as the dominant party.
The Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, Bola Tinubu, was elected Governor of Lagos State, establishing a powerful political structure that has significantly influenced the state’s governance.
However, Tinubu’s dominance was not without challenges. Internal conflicts and rivalries within the AD frequently spilled into the Lagos State House of Assembly, leading to heated exchanges, verbal clashes, and accusations among lawmakers.
Following the 2007 general elections, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) emerged as the leading political force in Lagos. However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which maintained a strong foothold in the state, fiercely contested ACN’s control. This PDP-ACN rivalry often led to political conflicts and power struggles within the Assembly, disrupting legislative activities and deepening divisions among lawmakers.
In recent years, internal party disputes and factional conflicts have continued to create instability in the Assembly. The most recent political standoff, which began on February 13, has once again resulted in bitter confrontations and public accusations, underscoring the persistent tensions shaping Lagos’ political landscape.
Lagos new power tussle
The Assembly has been embroiled in a fresh controversy, with the impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and the election of Mojisola Meranda as his successor.
However, the crisis took a new turn when Obasa refused to accept his impeachment, claiming that the process was not followed.
As the crisis deepened, the Assembly’s Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, was also caught in the crossfire. Onafeko was suspended by the Assembly’s leadership, allegedly for his role in the impeachment saga. However, in a surprise move, the court ordered the reinstatement of Onafeko.
In a motion ex-parte dated 17th February, 2025 and filed 18th February, 2025 to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Judicial Division with Suit No NICN/LA/23/2025 the claimant/applicant, Mr. Olalekan Biliamin Onafeko, in a lawsuit through his counsel, Barrister Yusuf Temilola Nurudeen, prayed for an order of interim injunction granting status – that is, the event of Monday 13th January, 2025) in this case pending the hearing of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction already filed in this suit.
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The six defendants/respondents in the lawsuit include: Lagos state government, Lagos state civil service commission, Lagos state House of Assembly Service Commission, The Speaker, Lagos state House of Assembly, AttorneyGeneral of Lagos State, and Mr. Ottun Abubakar Taiwo Babatunde as defendants 1 -6, respectively.
The order of interim injunction also include restraining the 3rd, 4th and 5th Defendants/Respondents, whether by themselves, their agents servants, privies and assigns or any means howsoever from acting or continuing to act or putting or continuing to put into effect the process of appointing the 7th Defendant/Respondent; the acting Clerk, or any other person as the substantive Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly pending the hearing of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction already filed in this suit.
In the document shared with New Daily Prime, it further prayed for the order of interim injunction “restraining the 3rd, 4th and 5th Defendants/Respondents, whether by themselves, their agents servants, privies and assigns or any means howsoever from acting or continuing to act or putting or continuing to put into effect the process of rectifying or passing a resolution for the appointment of the 7th Defendant/Respondent; the acting Clerk, or any other person as the substantive Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly pending the hearing of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction already filed in this suit.”
In an order by Hon Justice M.N Esowe, ordered the reinstatement of Onafeko as Clerk of the Lagos House of Assembly.
“Both parties shall maintain the peace and status quo ante bellum until the motion on notice is heard and determined,” the verdict read.
The case is thereby adjourned to 11/3/2025 for hearing of the motion on notice before the court.
“The reinstatement of the Clerk is a welcome development, but it’s also a reminder that the Assembly still has a long way to go in terms of stability and good governance,” said a source close to the Assembly.
