The Lagos State Police Command has reinstated the security details of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, following their withdrawal on Thursday.
The move had intensified tensions in the ongoing leadership tussle within the Assembly.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, explained that the security withdrawal was part of a personnel audit and was not targeted at Meranda or any other individual.
“As I speak with you, the audit of the police personnel attached to Hon. Mojisola Meranda has been completed, and the police personnel attached to her from the Lagos State Police Command have been returned to her for her protection,” Jimoh stated on Thursday evening.
He further clarified,“It is pertinent to state that the ongoing police personnel audit has been on for several days now, and prominent personalities and individuals have been complying with the process. The exercise, once again, is not aimed or targeted at any individuals.”
Obasa insists he remains speaker
The withdrawal and subsequent reinstatement of Meranda’s security details added another layer to the Assembly crisis, which began after she replaced Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker. Obasa had been accused of impropriety, leading to his removal.
However, on Thursday, Obasa arrived at the Lagos Assembly complex with his supporters, asserting that he remains the legitimate Speaker.
“Obasa is the speaker,” his supporters chanted as he addressed journalists.
Obasa, in one of his few public appearances since his removal, maintained that due process was not followed in his ousting.
“I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, lawmakers loyal to Meranda rejected Obasa’s claims, affirming that she remains the Speaker.
The crisis escalated on February 17 when security agents and legislative staff clashed within the Assembly premises. Following the incident, thirty-six lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in Meranda’s leadership.
