By Kingston Magare
There was chaos Monday morning at the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly as Department of State Security agents made their presence felt in full force, temporarily preventing the Speaker Mojisola Meranda, deputy speaker and the clerk of the assembly from gaining access to their offices.
The DSS agents frisked all individuals who ventured into the premises at Alausa, Ikeja, effectively bring all activities to a standstill. Speaker Meranda arrived at about 11.15am to behold the spectacle
However, later in the day the members of the assembly, managed to hold their plenary section and much of the discussion was centred on the DSS invasion of their chambers. During the session members were angst by the development.
“This is not a government ruled by the barrel of a gun. This is an aberration of democracy and a step toward anarchy. What happened today is a total embarrassment and an act of harassment,” Hon. Abiodun Tobun said.
He added that members were behind speaker Meranda with 36 lawmakers voicing their vote of confidence on Mrs Meranda: “Nobody can dictate to us. God chooses and removes leaders. We are solidly behind your leadership, Mr. Speaker—nobody can remove you.”
The invasion is coming on the heels of the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, based on allegations of corrupt practices and mismanagement funds. Mr. Obasa is currently challenging his removal at Ikeja High Court. He described his impeachment while he was abroad by 32 out 40 members on January 13, 2025 as a coup.
President Bola Tinubu had written to the members of the Lagos Assembly to reinstate Mr. Obasa, but so far they seem to have made up their minds on who their Speaker of the House is.