The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda has presided over plenary at the Lagos State House of Assembly amid chaos around the premises following invasion by operatives of the Department of State Service(DSS).
The DSS had earlier sealed the chamber and office of the Speaker on Monday morning due to alleged security threat.
The Daily Crucible learnt that DSS officials stormed the Assembly Chamber on invitation by the Clerk of the House and their presence led to a physical confrontation with legislative workers, who bunched – up at the exit door in fierce struggle to enter the chamber.
Earlier, the lawmakers had broken the DSS seal and forced their way into the chamber around 12:30 pm amid solidarity support from the assembly workers, who afterwards overwhelmed and overpowered the DSS officials at the door.
The Daily Crucible reports that crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly began with the impeachment at the assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and replacement by Meranda.
It has worsened as Obasa fought back to retrieve his office and had since dragged the house and Meranda to court, claiming his removal did not follow due process.
About a dozen police vans were stationed at the assembly gate in the morning.
Meanwhile, the palpably distraught Lagos lawmakers have condemned the invasion of their Assembly complex by the DSS operatives.
They described the development as of as a “rape of democracy, an aberration, and a national embarrassment.”
The assembly members called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to probe the incident and provide the public with a comprehensive briefing on the findings.
The assembly also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately lest the crisis slipped out of control.
The plenary session which started late and attended by 36 lawmakers, the legislators demanded an explanation from the Lagos State Director of DSS for the invasion of the complex and chamber by the operatives.
Speaking during the session, Abiodun Tobun reiterated the lawmakers’ commitment and loyalty to Meranda, even as they unanimously condemned the invasion, insisting it was an abuse of legislative.
“This is not a government ruled by the barrel of a gun. This is an aberration of democracy and a step toward anarchy.
“What happened today is a total embarrassment and an act of harassment.
“Nobody can dictate to us. God chooses and removes leaders. We are solidly behind your leadership, Mr. Speaker—nobody can remove you,” he said.
For Gbolahan Yishawu, it is “an unacceptable overreach by security agencies, The Nigerian Constitution clearly spells out the separation of powers. The legislature is a key pillar of democracy, and any attempt to intimidate or disrupt its activities must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
