Speakership Tussle: Police Surround Lagos Assembly
The Lagos State Police Command has taken proactive security measures at the Lagos State House of Assembly to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order by thugs and miscreants.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh ordered the deployment of human and operational resources to the Assembly complex to maintain peace and ensure the safety of all legitimate visitors.
The statement refuted claims that police had restricted entry into the Assembly, clarifying that journalists and individuals with genuine business at the complex are granted access.
“To forestall the breakdown of law and order, CP Olohundare Jimoh ordered the proactive deployment of human and operational resources to the House of Assembly. This is also to ensure watertight security and prevent miscreants and thugs from causing mayhem.
“For clarification, entry is allowed into the Assembly complex for journalists and every other person with genuine business to carry out there.
“Furthermore, part of the measures employed is a diversion of vehicular traffic around the Assembly complex. This is necessary to ensure firm grip and control over the security architecture,” the statement read.
The police emphasized that the traffic diversion was not intended to restrict movement but was instead a precautionary strategy to ensure order within the Assembly and its surroundings.
“For emphasis, there is no restriction of movement into the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the diversion of traffic was proactively emplaced to forestall breakdown of law and order in the Assembly and its environs,” it added.
The Assembly has been in turmoil since January 13, following the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and ex-Clerk Olalekan Onafeko by the lawmakers.
Obasa was subsequently replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda, who now serves as the substantive Speaker.
However, on Thursday, the ousted Speaker made a dramatic return to the Assembly, re-entering the chamber with police escorts and other security personnel. He then declared that he remains the legitimate leader of the House.
According to unverified reports, lawmakers are set to hold an emergency plenary today, with speculation that Speaker Meranda may step down, paving the way for ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to reclaim the position.
Over the weekend, the Assembly directed all staff and legislative aides to work remotely until further notice due to the ongoing leadership crisis within the legislative body.
The directive was issued through a memo from the Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Babatunde Abubakar. Titled “Amendment to Remote Work Schedule Arrangement.”
The memo emphasized that the decision was made to ensure the safety of staff and prevent any possible unrest arising from the leadership dispute.
“To this end, all categories of staff at the Assembly, LAHASCOM, and legislative aides are requested to work remotely from home until further notice,” the memo read.
The memo also reassured employees of the commitment of the newly appointed Speaker, Meranda, to their safety and a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Speakership Tussle: Police Surround Lagos Assembly is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
