Photo: Mudashiru Obasa, sacked LSHA Speaker
There was palpable tension at the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker on Thursday as the ousted speaker, Musdashiru Obasa, aided by a retinue of police and other security agents seized control of the assembly.
The development came shortly after the security details of the legitimate Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn by the police, raising concern for her safety and that of other members of the House and staff.
Many sources said Obasa stormed the house at about midday on Thursday, with heavily armed police and civil defence officials in tow.
Naija Daily News had earlier reported of plans to bring back Obasa to enable him resign honourably, as part of a peace shuttle spearheaded by members of the Governor Advisory Council and other leaders of the All Progressive Congress.
It was, however, uncertain if the latest development was part of a touted plan to give the embattled former Speaker a ‘soft landing’.
Meanwhile, our sources at the Assembly complex said the sudden appearance of Obasa and his show of force caused palpable tension, with staff fearing a possible bloody clash between his supporters and those of the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, who was not sighted at the scene.
It was further learned that the former Speaker went ahead to break into the Speaker’s office. He was accompanied by two of 39 lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya (Osmak), representing Mushin Constituency I, and Noheem Adams, representing Mushin Constituency II.
