Politics

The Power Play At Lagos State Assembly On Monday, DSS Invasion On Invitation

 

 

Department of State Services (DSS) storming of the Lagos State House of Assembly and sealing of the offices of the Speaker and his deputy, were based on invitation by the house, a competent source has revealed.
In a letter dated February 14, 2025, signed by Mr. A.T.B. Ottun, the Acting Clerk of the House, the Assembly requested the security agency to “fortify the security of the Assembly.”
The letter, bearing reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323 and titled “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” was addressed to the Director of the State Services in Lagos.
In the letter, the Assembly management claimed to have credible information about plans to forcefully reinstate the impeached Speaker of the State Assembly on February 18, 2025.
The petition stated, “I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.
The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume office on February 18, 2025, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.
“In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to enhance the security of the Assembly premises, effective from February 16, 2025, by increasing the presence of your personnel and implementing strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises until further notice.
“We look forward to your prompt attention, Sir. Thank you.”

However,  an attempt by some powerful individuals to forcefully remove the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Mojisola Meranda failed and could not materialise today

It was gathered that Speaker who got wind of an attempt by ex Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to resume today with some hired thugs prompted the Speaker to alert the Department of State Services for adequate protection

This was conveyed through a letter addressed to the DSS by the Clerk of the House.

Based on the letter, the DSS officials were duly deployed to the Assembly in the early hours of Monday.

When members of staff of the Assembly resumed duty they were confronted by the stern looking secret police

But the atmosphere took a dramatic turn when the DSS decided to go beyond their mandate by sealing the office of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and even the Clerk of the House that wrote the letter of invitation

The Speaker and her Deputy were prevented from accessing her office by officers of DSS.

The Speaker who couldn’t believe her eyes was shocked by the turn of event.

To her,  what was happening was like a scripted movie.

According to a senior staff of Lagos State House of Assembly who spoke to some newsmen on condition of anonymity,  the DSS even went on to invade the Chamber of the House brandishing all sorts of weapon.

Their action infuriated the staff of the House who decided to confront them.

A showdown was eminent but at the end good reasoning prevailed.

What looked like a civilian coup was averted as all the 36 lawmakers quickly passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker and the House was adjourned indefinitely

The latest action by the DSS was not the first since the Imbroglio in the House started.

It will be recalled that based on a petition by the former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa,  the Deputy Speaker was invited and detained by the DSS until the intervention of the House

It is not yet known how the current impasse will be resolved as the gladiators seem to be digging in with Obasa flaunting his so-called closeness to Abuja as his trumpcard

He has vowed to approach the court to regain his mandate

Some members of the House of Assembly feel the release of the letter of invitation is just a face saving strategy by the DSS to justify their unprofessional act on Monday.

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