In the early hours of Today, February 17, 2025, armed security personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police forcefully took control of the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, sealing off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the Assembly Clerk.
The security operation, which began at around 5:00 am, left the Alausa area of Ikeja, where the Assembly is located, under heavy surveillance. Armed officers were seen frisking passers-by and blocking access to the legislative building, causing a noticeable disruption to the usual activity around the area. By 10:00 am, the situation remained tense with no clear explanation from the authorities for the heavy presence.
Mojisola Meranda, who has been at the centre of the controversy surrounding the Assembly’s leadership, arrived at the Assembly at about 11:15 am with her convoy. Her arrival brought some relief to the scene, but questions still remained about the underlying reasons for the military-like presence at the Assembly.
This development comes on the heels of a high-stakes legal battle involving the former Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who was controversially removed from office on January 13, 2025. Obasa was ousted by 32 out of the 40 members of the House, while he was reportedly out of the country in the United States.
Obasa, who served as the Speaker for several years, has rejected his ouster and has now filed a lawsuit to challenge its legality. His legal team is seeking an expedited hearing at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court. The lawsuit, which was filed on February 12, 2025, names the Lagos State House of Assembly and the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as defendants. Obasa is asking the court to declare his removal as illegal and to reinstate him as Speaker.
“I will fight this to the end,” Obasa said in a statement issued by his lawyers. “The actions of the Assembly members were unconstitutional, and I believe the court will restore justice.”
Mudashiru Obasa’s tenure as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly was marked by controversy, but it also saw significant political influence within the state’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). His removal, which happened in his absence, has drawn mixed reactions, particularly from the political elite in Lagos.
The Governance Advisory Council (GAC), which is the highest decision-making body within the APC in Lagos, has been split over the removal. Some members have voiced support for Meranda, while others have sided with Obasa, arguing that due process was not followed in his ouster. The situation has deepened the political rift within the state’s ruling party.
Obasa, on his part, claims that his removal was politically motivated and that it undermines the rule of law and the autonomy of the Lagos State House of Assembly. In his court filing, he accused Speaker Meranda and other Assembly members of conspiring to remove him unlawfully, without following the proper legal procedures.
The legal battle is expected to be a long one, but political observers in Lagos say it could have serious implications for the APC and the leadership of the state. Should Obasa’s suit succeed, it could shake the foundations of political power within the state.
The dramatic sealing of the Assembly offices by DSS and the police has only heightened the political tension surrounding the dispute. While the authorities have not made an official statement about the reason for the security operation, there are speculations that it may be linked to the legal proceedings and the political rivalry between Obasa and Meranda.
The decision to deploy such a large number of security officers has raised questions about the role of security agencies in political disputes. Critics argue that the security presence may be an overreaction and could set a dangerous precedent for how political disagreements are handled in the future.
However, some government officials have defended the move, saying that the security presence was necessary to maintain law and order and prevent any potential breakdown of peace. The situation remains fluid, and the next steps in the legal proceedings are expected to be critical in determining the future of the leadership in Lagos State.
Mudashiru Obasa’s lawsuit against the Lagos State House of Assembly and Speaker Mojisola Meranda has garnered significant attention in both political and legal circles. The former Speaker argues that his removal was not in line with the law, as it was carried out without due process and while he was absent from the country.
In his motion, Obasa requests the court to declare his removal as null and void, and he is seeking reinstatement as the Speaker of the Assembly. He also demands that any decisions made in his absence be declared invalid, as he believes the actions taken against him violated the constitutional rights of the Speaker’s office.
Obasa’s legal team is optimistic that the court will rule in his favour, but the case is expected to drag on for several weeks. Some legal experts suggest that the outcome of the case could depend on how the court interprets the legality of the Assembly’s actions and whether the proper procedures were followed in the removal process.
The outcome of this legal dispute could have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Lagos State. If Obasa wins his case, it could set a precedent for future leadership disputes within the Assembly, particularly in a state where politics is often fiercely contested. On the other hand, if Meranda’s position is upheld, it could solidify her hold on power within the Assembly but leave lingering questions about the legitimacy of her rise to the office.
As the legal battle continues, all eyes will remain on the Lagos State House of Assembly and the impact this dispute will have on the political future of the state.
