DSS INVADES LAGOS STATE ASSEMBLY, LAWMAKERS RESIST, PLEDGE LOYALTY TO MERANDA 17-02-25
By Sadiq Aminu. Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have condemned the invasion of the chamber by heavily armed men of the Department of the State Services.
The security officials blocked lawmakers’ access into the parliament ahead of the expected resumption of plenary of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa tomorrow.
The lawmakers, who had met at the garden in front of the Chamber, resisted the lawmakers with the support of police personnel, orderlies and staff members who were in solidarity with the new leadership.
Commenting on a matter of urgent public importance raised by Mr Kehinde Joseph representing Alimosho constituency two, members took turns to condemn the invasion of the parliament describing it as an assault on democracy.
The lawmakers noted that the gestapo style of the invasion was an embarrassment to democratic norms and that whoever is aggrieved by the new leadership of the House should approach the court for redress.
Earlier, the acting Clerk of the House, Mr Taiwo Oshun read a letter from the State High Court informing the lawmakers of a pending lawsuit by the erstwhile Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
The lawmakers said they removed Chief Obasa because they had had enough of his high-handedness, intimidation and servitude.
The House then called on the Department of State Service to explain the reason for its invasion of the state legislature, while also calling on the National Assembly to condemn the action.
The thirty-six lawmakers present at the plenary passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda who was emotional as she ruled on the motion.
The House then adjourned sitting indefinitely.
At the time of this report, DSS officials still blocked the entrance to the office of the Speaker.