The bitter leadership tussle at the Lagos House of Assembly boiled over yesterday, demystifying long-held notions that the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government in the state is glued together by a sturdy and coherent political mechanism.

Tension erupted at the Assembly as officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the complex, taking strategic positions and disrupting legislative activities, including a scheduled plenary session.

The invasion, allegedly aimed at reinstating ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, left lawmakers, staff, and visitors in shock and triggered widespread condemnation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the national leader of the APC and the political godfather in Lagos State. The development may have taken many observers by surprise as Lagos is little known for brazen dramas that expose its putrid political underbelly.

Reports had quickly emerged that the DSS officers were at the Assembly to enforce the return of Obasa by pressuring the sitting Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, to resign. This was 35 days after Obasa was removed as Speaker, and the House had continued to function albeit amid the fallout from the removal.

Videos from the Assembly showed commotion within the complex, with legislative staff and others involved in altercations and physical confrontations with individuals suspected to be DSS officers inside the assembly chambers and throughout the complex.

In the videos, voices could be heard insisting that they would not be intimidated by the DSS presence or its efforts to facilitate Obasa’s return. Some claimed that the DSS officers’ invasion was instigated by Obasa himself. The videos, which pushed this narrative, led to widespread condemnation of the DSS for what appeared to be an unlawful invasion of the Assembly.

However, hours later, a letter with reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323 began circulating on social media deepening the intrigue surrounding the unfolding crisis. The letter, signed by the acting Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. A. T. B. Ottun, and written to the Director of the State Security Service, requested additional security within and around the complex.

Dated February 14, 2025, the letter stated that credible information had been received indicating plans to forcefully reinstate the removed speaker on February 18, 2025. The Assembly management stressed that the development posed “a potential security threat” to both the Assembly and its members.
Titled “Urgent: Enhanced Security Measures For LSHA Premises,” the letter stated: “I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.”

The letter claimed Obasa planned to resume office on February 18, 2025 (today). “In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises, starting from Sunday, February 16, 2025, by increasing the presence of your personnel and implementing strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises until further notice. We look forward to your prompt attention, Sir. Thank you.”

Once the commotion caused by the presence of DSS officers in the Assembly subsided, the lawmakers convened their plenary session. They labelled the incident an “embarrassment to democracy, Lagos State, and Nigeria.” This included the sealing of the Speaker’s and Deputy Speaker’s offices, as well as the legislative chamber, upon their arrival.

During the session, Meranda was visibly emotional and wept after a vote of confidence was passed by the lawmakers. The plenary session was subsequently adjourned indefinitely.

In response to the DSS’s actions, lawmakers called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and address the issue, which they considered a national embarrassment. They also urged the National Assembly to take action.

“This is not the first time a Speaker has been removed. The sky did not fall. Tejuosho was removed and accepted her fate. Obasa should also accept his fate,” a parliamentarian said. “Today is a day I will never forget. This is the same House President Bola Ahmed Tinubu worked so hard for.”

Amid the turmoil, it was alleged that lawmaker Olayinka Kazeem was rushed to the hospital for medical attention due to the chaotic atmosphere within the Assembly.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the Assembly regarding the letter inviting the DSS to provide security were unsuccessful. Stephen Ogundipe, the chairman of the House Committee on Information, did not answer several calls made by different reporters. He later responded to a message sent to his phone, promising to get back, but had not done so as of press time.

The Assembly led by Obasa before he was ousted had adjourned its sitting to February 17, 2025 (yesterday). Meanwhile, a member of the Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Bashorun Olorunfunmi, said the recent developments at the Lagos State Assembly are not connected to the GAC. He stressed that the lawmakers, as an independent body, have the constitutional right to choose their leader and can make changes to the leadership as they see fit.