BY EFE MODESTUS, JOY OKON
There was chaos at the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, as the Department of State Service invaded the assembly, allegedly on the orders of the clerk.
In the ensuing melee, the lawmakers forcefully gained entry into the hallowed chamber and declared their support for the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
The Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, has, however, reaffirmed its plans to meet with President Bola Tinubu over the ongoing crisis in the state House of Assembly.
The fresh crisis followed the militarisation of the assembly complex by officials of the DSS on Monday.
The crisis deepened following moves by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to return to the House.
Frontline reports that Obasa, who was removed by the majority of the lawmakers on January 13, 2025, approached the court last week to seek redress.
The lawmaker dragged the Assembly and the new Speaker, Meranda, before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, claiming that the lawmakers were wrong to have removed him when the Assembly was in recess.
In a motion dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, through his counsel led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), sought an order from the court for an accelerated hearing of the suit.
The embattled former speaker was in Atlanta, United States of America, for his holiday when the House convened and moved a motion for his removal.
There were speculations that Obasa may likely return to the House on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. However, the House, at its plenary on Monday, adjourned the sitting indefinitely, leaving no room for a possible sitting.
The Monday plenary earlier scheduled for 11 am was delayed till around 12:51 pm, as the DSS operatives sealed the offices of the Speaker and other principal officers of the House.
The assembly chamber was also under restriction, with the lawmakers forcing their way into the chamber after about two hours of being stranded outside the building.
While attempting to enter the chamber, Meranda, who was surrounded by security details and assembly workers, burst into tears amid hailing and a show of solidarity from about 36 lawmakers and the assembly staff.
‘Assembly invited DSS’
Amid allegations of invasion, a top official of the DSS told one of our correspondents that the clerk of the assembly wrote to the service to increase the number of operatives deployed in the complex.
The source, who spoke in confidence because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, said, “Contrary to reports by a section of the media that DSS officers stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing offices of the Speaker and his deputy, it was the Assembly that invited security agents to maintain order.
“The clerk of the assembly wrote to us that there was a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members and requested to increase the number of operatives there and ensure strict access within and outside the assembly.”
It is not clear what line of action was given to the DSS operatives or who gave them, but the actions of the officers prevented the sitting from holding at the scheduled time.
A letter from the Clerk of the House revealed that the assembly indeed invited the operatives to maintain order at the House, following speculations of Obasa’s return.
The letter, seen by The PUNCH, dated February 14, 2025, showed that the acting clerk of the assembly, A. T. B. Ottun, wrote to the DSS, requesting more presence of operatives at the complex.
According to the letter with reference no: LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, the DSS was instructed to ensure strict access to the facility from February 15 till further notice.
The letter, titled, “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” read: “I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.
“The impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume office on the 18th of February, 2025, as the Speaker, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.
“In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday, 16 February 2025, by increasing the presence of your men and as well observe strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises till further notice. We look forward to your prompt attention Sir. Thank you.”
Workers, DSS clash
Following the entry of the lawmakers into the House, DSS officers engaged in a physical confrontation with some assembly workers who were shocked to meet the operatives in the chamber.
The DSS officers, cladded in black jackets, helmets and face masks and armed to the teeth, were resisted by the assembly workers after several minutes of tussle.
Shortly after the incident which created tension in the House, Meranda presided over the sitting which began around 12:51 pm. It was the seventh plenary presided over by Meranda since Obasa’s removal, and the latter had been absent from all.
Lawmakers condemn invasion
During the plenary, lawmakers condemned the invasion of the chamber by the DSS after Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1) raised a motion under Personal Explanation.
The assembly also noted that Kazeem Osho (Mushin 2) was rushed to the hospital for emergency care due to the heightened tension in the chamber.
Joseph called on the President to intervene and ensure that those responsible for the invasion were brought to justice. He also demanded that the Director-General of the DSS be summoned to explain the agency’s actions.
Another lawmaker, Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo 1), decried the incident, describing it as a “rape of democracy.”
Sabur Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2) also condemned the invasion, describing the DSS’ conduct as unnecessary and unprofessional.
He said, “This harassment is completely unwarranted. I’m still shivering. We were elected by the people to protect their interests. If we feel the Speaker is not representing us or the people well, we have the right to elect a new leader. That is democracy. This does not justify harassment or an assault on our legislative process.”
Gbolahan Ogunleye (Ikorodu 1) called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“I am deeply saddened. I never imagined a day when armed men would storm the Lagos Assembly. I urge the DSS DG to investigate this attack, and I call on President Tinubu to ensure that justice is served. This is a blatant violation of democratic principles.”
Similarly, Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2) described the invasion as a violation of legislative procedures.
“What we witnessed today is an aberration. The Assembly is meant for debates that advance society, not for forceful interventions.
“We must call on the government to clarify whether it has the right to dictate our leadership choices. Today’s incident is a disgrace,” he said.
Despite the chaos, both lawmakers and staff reaffirmed their support for the first female Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in Meranda’s leadership after which the Speaker adjourned the plenary indefinitely.
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2025-02-18
