The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has criticised the actions of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, describing them as a “show of shame” following a disruption at the Assembly complex on Thursday.
Obasa, accompanied by his security officials, entered the Assembly complex and made his way into the Speaker’s office. He later presided over a four-member session, despite having taken legal action against the state government and the Assembly over his removal, which he termed unlawful.
Speaking to journalists after a court hearing at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Friday, Meranda emphasised that the legal process was just beginning and urged all parties to allow their legal teams to handle the matter.
“This is actually just the beginning. Both parties have their representatives, and I think we should allow the legal team to do their job,” she said.
Obasa’s Assembly Entry Sparks Controversy
Meranda acknowledged that Obasa, as a member of the Assembly, has the right to visit the complex but condemned his forceful entry into her office.
“I think he is still a member of the House of Assembly, so he has every right to come, but the invasion and breaking into my office—that is really a big one,” she stated.
She also criticised Obasa’s attempt to hold a session with only three other lawmakers, saying it fell short of the quorum required for official legislative proceedings.
“We have numbers that form a quorum, so if you’re sitting with three or four members, you’re only doing theatre,” she added.
Security Detail Adjusted
Meranda further revealed that while her security detail was restored after an initial withdrawal, it was significantly reduced compared to the level of protection she usually receives.
“I have three or four policemen, whereas my normal convoy includes 12 policemen, four DSS officers, and two anti-bomb units. But I don’t have that this morning,” she noted.
Assembly Spokesperson Weighs In
The Assembly’s spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, also spoke after the court hearing, condemning Obasa’s actions and the legal tactics employed by his team.
“We are very clear about this. What happened here was a show of shame. Even when questions were raised, we saw the responses they gave. He is the one that took us to court, and you saw the drama his lawyers played in court today. It’s very unfortunate, but when we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” Ogundipe said.
He reaffirmed Meranda’s strong backing within the Assembly, stating that 35 lawmakers, including Meranda herself, remain united in support of her leadership.
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