JUST IN : Only 4 lawmakers in attendance as Obasa presides over Lagos Assembly

Former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday convened a plenary session with only four lawmakers present, following an incident where security personnel allegedly forced open the chamber doors.

By 3 p.m., the session was still ongoing, while about 35 legislators abstained, gathering at the Assembly’s garden to reaffirm their February 17 vote of confidence in the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

The boycott was seen as a demonstration of loyalty to Meranda amid Obasa’s contentious return, reportedly facilitated by armed individuals and suspected political thugs.

One legislator, speaking anonymously, rejected Obasa’s leadership, stating:

“He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. For nearly a decade, we endured his authoritarian style of leadership. Enough is enough, and we are not backing down,” the lawmaker declared.

Lawmakers Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin Constituency I) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency II) were spotted alongside Obasa as they entered the Assembly complex.

Reports indicated that Obasa’s supporters had taken over the Speaker’s office, while some individuals allegedly issued threats and vowed to control key areas of the complex. Access roads leading to the Assembly were blocked by people believed to be Obasa’s supporters, who arrived in unmarked buses, forcing drivers to find alternative routes.

Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, condemned the disruption and urged calm.

“This is the Lagos State House of Assembly, and what we are witnessing today is shocking. If there are issues, leadership should address us directly, not resort to this kind of display,” he said, calling the situation an embarrassment.

Ogundipe also expressed frustration over being denied access to the complex by security operatives.