The leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly has escalated to a new level of uncertainty as security operatives assigned to Speaker Mojisola Meranda were abruptly withdrawn, leaving her vulnerable amid an intensifying power struggle.
In a shocking development, all security details attached to the Speaker—including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS)—were removed without prior notice or replacement. The move has sparked concerns over Meranda’s safety and the stability of the Assembly.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an aide to the Speaker confirmed the withdrawal, describing it as a deliberate attempt to expose Meranda to potential threats.
“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we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.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 police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” the aide disclosed.
The situation has fueled anxiety within the political landscape, with urgent calls for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene and prevent further chaos.
Tensions heightened on Wednesday when Olalekan Onafeko, the suspended Clerk of the House, made a dramatic attempt to reclaim his position. Onafeko, who was removed alongside former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, arrived at the Assembly complex at about 9 a.m., flanked by his lawyer, two security personnel, and DSS operatives. However, his return was swiftly blocked by security officers stationed at the entrance.
> “He was politely told by the lawyer of the State Assembly to leave the complex peacefully, as the matter is already in court,” an eyewitness recounted.
A viral video captured the moment Assembly staff jeered and booed Onafeko as he was escorted out of the premises, further underscoring the deep-seated tensions within the House.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Security Officer of the Assembly, Kushoro Idowu, condemned Onafeko’s actions in an official statement, emphasizing that the leadership tussle must not disrupt legislative proceedings.
The ongoing turmoil stems from the January 13 ousting of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa by a majority vote of 32 out of 40 Assembly members. In the aftermath, Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new Speaker, but the leadership transition has been anything but smooth.
Despite high-level interventions by President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), efforts to resolve the conflict have yielded little progress. The withdrawal of Speaker Meranda’s security now raises concerns over potential political intimidation tactics and the safety of key figures within the Assembly.
With the crisis showing no signs of abating, political stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to restore order, uphold democratic processes, and ensure the security of Speaker Meranda and other lawmakers.
PIONEER NEWS 