Thirty-six lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have reaffirmed their support for Speaker Mojisola Meranda, rejecting the forceful takeover of her office by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
On Thursday, February 27, the lawmakers gathered at the Assembly garden, standing by their February 17 vote of confidence in Meranda, despite Obasa’s dramatic return, allegedly backed by armed men and thugs.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Steven Ogundipe, who spoke to reporters, stated that they remain committed to ensuring that Obasa’s removal stands.
“He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. We endured his master-slave leadership for nearly a decade. Now, we’ve had enough, and we’re not backing down.
“This is Lagos, the State House of Assembly. We are shocked by what is happening today. If there is an issue, leadership should address us directly, not subject us to this charade,” Ogundipe said.
He described the disruption as an embarrassment, recalling how security operatives had blocked his entry into the complex. We reject Obasa in totality,” he declared.
READ ALSO: Obasa Storms Lagos Assembly with Armed Police, Declares Himself Speaker
Unlike others, two lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin Constituency I) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency II), were seen accompanying Obasa into the Assembly complex.
By midday, Obasa’s supporters had forced open the Speaker’s office, while suspected thugs occupied key areas of the complex. Armed miscreants were also seen making threats, vowing to seize all Assembly offices.
Roads leading to the complex were blocked by suspected Obasa loyalists, who arrived in unmarked Kombi buses, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
However, Obasa, addressing journalists, insisted he was still the Speaker and had not been impeached.
“I was on vacation, and I am back, which means the House is in session. There is nothing like impeachment. Any attempt to remove me must follow due process,” he said.
He maintained that he held no grudges against his colleagues and insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remained united.
“Obasa is the Speaker,”he concluded.