CITIZENS COMPASS– Indications emerged on Thursday, that all security details assigned to the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, have been withdrawn.
An aide to the Speaker who spoke on condition of anonymity said all security details of the Speaker have been withdrawn.
This took place before Noon on Thursday.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn. This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” the aide disclosed.
Recall that on January 13, 2025, the crisis had rocked the Assembly since January following the impeachment of Rot. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as Speaker and suspension of Olalekan Onafeko, as Clerk of the House.
Following Obasa’s impeachment, his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, had stepped in as the Speaker.
However, Obasa had approached a Magistrate Court to challenge his impeachment on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.
Party leaders including the Governor’s Advisory Council had intervened in the crisis all to no avail.
The Assembly had abruptly gone on recess following the crisis.
It was learnt that on Wednesday, Onafeko attempted to resume duty at the Assembly complex. However, he was politely turned away by security personnel.
He was said to have arrived at the complex at about 9 a.m., accompanied by his lawyer, two security personnel, and unidentified DSS operatives, in an attempt to reclaim his office.
“He, the suspended clerk, was politely told by the lawyer of the State Assembly to leave the complex peacefully as the matter is already in court,” an eyewitness revealed.
A viral video captured Assembly staff booing and jeering at Onafeko, chanting unfavorable slogans as he was escorted out of the premises.
Responding, the management of the Lagos State House of Assembly, through a statement signed by Chief Security Officer, Kushoro Idowu, condemned the development.
The crisis has generated mixed reactions from members of the public including party members.
Among the criteria that worked against Meranda was that she came from the same constituency with the Governor and this may disrupt the political structure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.
Recently, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, a Lagos State socio-cultural organisation, had kicked against imposition of non-indigenes across all political structures in the State.
