The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has denied claims that she plans to step down from her position.
Speculations about her resignation spread on social media on Monday, suggesting she was under pressure amid the ongoing crisis in the Assembly.
Meranda’s Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, dismissed the rumours, calling them false.
He pointed out that the Speaker attended the plenary session on Monday.
“It is a lie from the pit of hell. If she had resigned, would she come back to sit at the plenary today”, Ajiboye told Punch.
Recall that tension escalated in the Assembly on Monday after operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were deployed to the complex.
Lawmakers, who were initially unable to access the chamber, eventually forced their way in and expressed support for Meranda and passed a vote of confidence on her.
The DSS deployment was linked to the possible return of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was removed from office in January.
Obasa recently sought legal action to challenge his removal, arguing that the decision was made while the Assembly was in recess.
Security presence around the Assembly was increased following a letter from the acting clerk requesting reinforcements.
The letter cited concerns over a potential disturbance if Obasa attempted to reclaim his position.
During Monday’s session, lawmakers condemned the DSS presence in the chamber.
Some described it as an attack on legislative independence, while others called for an investigation into the incident.
The Governance Advisory Council of the ruling party plans to discuss the crisis with President Bola Tinubu.
As the situation remains unresolved, the House has suspended its sessions indefinitely.
It seems the lawmakers were largely mistaken or mischievous in insinuating that the law enforcement agents drafted to ensure order and, in a preemptive move on the invitation of the Acting Clerk they appointed, were encroaching on legislative independence. They might have been telling a different story if Obasa had been allowed to storm the house with his crowd; perhaps they would be speaking from their hospital beds. Our lawmakers are sometimes very lawless and a confused bunch. They could force their way through access control mounted by DSS for orderliness but always run away from street thugs. Such grandstanding.