Armed security personnel took control of the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, early Monday, March 3, 2025, as lawmakers gathered for an emergency plenary session.
The tense atmosphere comes amid expectations of a leadership change in the Assembly.
Security presence, which had been noticeable for about two weeks, increased significantly by 7 a.m. on Monday.
This development is linked to reports that the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, may step down to allow a new Speaker to emerge based on the zoning arrangement favoring candidates from the West zone.
Officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and armed personnel from the Lagos State Police Command were seen at key positions around the complex.
Guests and staff faced strict security checks before being allowed inside.
Some Assembly workers described the situation as tense, with access to the premises taking longer than usual.
The leadership crisis in the Assembly has been a subject of intense political discussions. Over the weekend, President Bola Tinubu and senior figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC) met to address the issue.
After multiple high-level meetings, a decision was reached that confirmed Mudashiru Obasa’s removal as Speaker.
However, instead of outright dismissal, he was given an opportunity to resign.
Sources from the Presidential Villa revealed that key APC leaders, including former National Chairman Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, and an unnamed former Lagos commissioner, were involved in the discussions with Tinubu.
More details are expected as the situation unfolds…
