There was chaos today, Monday, February 17, 2025 at the Lagos State House of Assembly as operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) engaged in a physical confrontation with legislative staff.
The DSS officials, outfitted in black jackets, helmets, and armed with weapons, attempted to forcefully enter the chamber, leading to a struggle at the entrance.
This altercation resulted in widespread pandemonium within the House.
This incident is the latest development in the ongoing leadership crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The turmoil began on January 13, 2025, when a majority of the Assembly members voted to remove Speaker Mudashiru Obasa from his position, citing allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement.
In his stead, Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was elected as the new Speaker.
Obasa, who was abroad in the United States at the time of his removal, has since contested the legitimacy of the proceedings, asserting that due process was not followed and that he remains the rightful Speaker.
In the weeks following Obasa’s ousting, tensions escalated.
On January 31, 2025, DSS operatives arrested two lawmakers, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu, in connection with the crisis surrounding Obasa’s removal. These arrests were reportedly based on a petition filed by Obasa, challenging the legality of his impeachment.
The detained lawmakers were interrogated and subsequently released after several hours.
In response, the Assembly members reaffirmed the legality of Obasa’s removal, emphasizing that the decision was made in accordance with constitutional provisions and the Assembly’s internal regulations.
The confrontation on February 17 further underscores the deep divisions and heightened tensions within the Lagos State legislative body.
Eyewitnesses reported that the DSS operatives’ attempt to gain access to the chamber was met with resistance from legislative staff, leading to a physical struggle at the chamber’s entrance.
The presence of armed security personnel within the legislative premises has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the implications for the Assembly’s autonomy.
In the aftermath of the clash, Speaker Mojisola Meranda presided over a plenary session amidst a palpable atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.
The Assembly’s leadership has called for calm and urged all parties to respect the rule of law and the institution’s internal processes.
Meanwhile, Obasa continues to challenge his removal through legal avenues, maintaining that he remains the legitimate Speaker of the House.
The involvement of security agencies in the Assembly’s internal affairs has sparked debates about the separation of powers and the sanctity of legislative institutions in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Watch the scene here.
