Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, entered the Speaker’s office by force on Thursday around noon.
He was accompanied by armed men.
This happened after security personnel assigned to the current Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, were withdrawn.
The withdrawal of security details, reportedly ordered by the Inspector General of Police, left Meranda without protection.
The move has sparked concerns over her safety, especially as the leadership crisis in the Assembly continues.
An aide to the Speaker revealed that both police officers and operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) were removed early Thursday morning, with no replacements provided.
Watch video below:
https://x.com/LawalAfeezL/status/1895077039822061837?t=bftVaivLYvOwJPtmUJMWPQ&s=19
https://x.com/SaharaReporters/status/1895093837682581691?t=D02Vdmai4lhoutWElizqkA&s=19
The situation worsened a day earlier when Olalekan Onafeko, the suspended Clerk of the House, attempted to return to his office.
He arrived at the Assembly complex around 9 a.m., accompanied by his lawyer, two security personnel, and unidentified DSS operatives.
Security officials, however, refused him entry, citing an ongoing court case.
Witnesses reported that Assembly staff mocked and jeered at him as he was escorted out.
The Lagos State House of Assembly management, through a statement signed by Chief Security Officer Kushoro Idowu, condemned the incident.
The crisis began on January 13, when Obasa was removed from his position by 32 out of 40 Assembly members.
Mojisola Meranda was then elected as the new Speaker.
Efforts by President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to settle the dispute have not succeeded.
