DSS Seals Lagos Assembly amid Leadership Crisis, Details Emerge

• The Department of State Security (DSS) has sealed the offices of Lagos Assembly Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk
• This happened days after former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa challenged his removal in court and demanded his reinstatement
• Obasa's removal has generated fresh controversy within the APC, as members of the party's highest decision-making body, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) are reportedly divided

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Lagos state - Officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), and Nigeria Police Force (NPF), on Monday, February 17, stormed the premises the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Obasa vs Meranda: DSS, police seal Lagos Assembly

The security operatives reportedly sealed up the offices of the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, her deputy and clerk of the house.

Vanguard reported that as of 10:00am, armed security personnel took over the premises at Alausa, Ikeja, and environs frisking every passersby.

Read also

Just In: Reinstated council chairman gunned down in Osun, details emerge

Meranda, however, arrived with her convoy at about 11.15am.

Obasa drags Lagos Assembly to court

Legit.ng reported that Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached former Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, had filed a lawsuit before a Lagos High Court demanding his immediate reinstatement.

Obasa, who was removed from office on January 13, 2025, is challenging the legality of his impeachment.

Amongst other prayers, the lawmaker is seeking an order nullifying his removal and restoring him as Speaker.

The suit, filed on Friday, February 14, named the current Speaker, Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, and the Lagos State House of Assembly as defendants.

Vanguard reported that Obasa argued in the suit that the January 13 plenary session where he was impeached was not properly convened, making the proceedings unconstitutional.

Lagos Assembly: Obasa's impeachment stirred fresh crisis

Legit.ng reported that Obasa was removed in absentia by 32 out of the 40 members of the state Assembly on January 13, 2025.

Read also

Atiku blasts Tinubu over Lagos assembly crisis, “those who claimed to have fought for democracy"

According to Vanguard, Obasa was in America when he was removed in a situation described as “coup,” by President Bola Tinubu.

The development has generated controversy with members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), an apex political decision making body in All Progressives Congress (APC), in Lagos, divided over Obasa’s removal.

Read more about Lagos Assembly crisis:

• Did Tinubu order Lagos lawmakers to reinstate impeached speaker Obasa? Fresh fact emerges
• Obasa’s impeachment: “How ex-Lagos speaker scored an own-goal,” Top political analyst speaks

Lagos lawmakers ignore Obasa, back Tinubu's govt

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Lagos Assembly members stirred concerns in the polity as they resumed plenary on Thursday and declared support for Bola Tinubu-led government.

The highlight of the session in the House on Thursday was the absence of the sacked Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

The former Speaker, Obasa, who represents Agege constituency, was removed on January 13 over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Read also

Lagos speaker Meranda 'under pressure to resign' as tension rises

Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng

Source: Legit.ng