According to Punch, in an unfolding political crisis, the embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, presided over a plenary session on Thursday with only four lawmakers in attendance.
The session, which was shrouded in controversy, took place after security operatives allegedly forced open the chamber doors, granting Obasa and his loyalists access to the Assembly complex.
At 3 pm, the plenary was still ongoing, but it was marked by a noticeable boycott as more than 26 lawmakers chose to stay away.
Their absence was seen as a demonstration of support for the current substantive Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Despite Obasa’s return, which was reportedly facilitated by armed men and suspected political thugs, Meranda’s supporters remained resolute.
Lawmakers gathered at the Assembly’s garden issued a firm statement, reaffirming their February 17 vote of confidence in Meranda.
One lawmaker, speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasized that the Assembly would not recognize Obasa's leadership.
"He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. For nearly a decade, we endured his authoritarian style of leadership. Enough is enough, and we are not backing down," the lawmaker declared, underscoring the deep division within the Assembly.
While the tension mounted, Obasa was accompanied into the Assembly complex by prominent figures such as Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin Constituency I) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency II).
The atmosphere inside the complex was charged, with reports emerging that Obasa’s supporters had forcibly gained entry into the Speaker’s office.
Meanwhile, suspected thugs were seen occupying key areas of the Assembly, issuing threats and vowing to seize control of all the offices within the complex.
In a further escalation of the situation, access roads leading to the Assembly were blocked by individuals believed to be loyal to Obasa.
These individuals, who arrived in unmarked buses, prevented motorists from accessing the routes, forcing many to seek alternative paths to reach their destinations.
Reacting to the chaotic developments, Stephen Ogundipe, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, condemned the unrest and called for calm.
Ogundipe urged all parties involved to pursue peaceful dialogue to resolve the ongoing dispute, as the crisis within the Assembly deepens.
The political turbulence in Lagos continues to unfold, leaving many questioning the future of the Assembly and the fate of its leadership.
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