Chaos broke out at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, February 27, as ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa stormed the complex with security operatives, forcefully gaining access to the Speaker’s office.
Obasa, who was removed from office on January 13, arrived at the Assembly around noon, accompanied by heavily armed police officers, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), and a group of supporters.
His sudden appearance came just hours after security details assigned to the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, were withdrawn, leaving her vulnerable.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa declared after taking possession of the office.
Videos circulating online showed his supporters chanting slogans and holding placards in his favour outside the Assembly complex, while his loyalists reportedly forced open the doors to the Speaker’s office.
Two lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya and Noheem Adams, accompanied him.
Meranda’s Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, confirmed the development, accusing Obasa of breaking into the office.
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Meanwhile, her aide, speaking anonymously, expressed concern over the sudden withdrawal of her security personnel, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene before the crisis escalates further.
“The police and SSS officers assigned to Madam Speaker were withdrawn overnight without any replacement. This leaves her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” the aide said.
The Assembly has been in turmoil since Obasa’s removal by 32 out of 40 lawmakers.
His return follows failed reconciliation efforts by President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The situation worsened on Wednesday when former Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, who was also removed alongside Obasa, attempted to resume duty.
Security officials, however, turned him away, prompting Assembly staff to boo him as he exited the premises.
As tensions continue to rise, calls for urgent intervention have intensified to prevent a complete breakdown of order within the Assembly.