Politics
CHAOS IN LAGOS: DSS INVASION SPARKS TENSION AT STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CHAOS IN LAGOS: DSS INVASION SPARKS TENSION AT STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, the Lagos State House of Assembly descended into chaos as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the premises. The invasion, reportedly authorized by the Assembly Clerk, led to heated confrontations, tears, and widespread condemnation from lawmakers.
The crisis unfolded when lawmakers, led by Speaker Mojisola Meranda, forcefully gained entry into the hallowed chamber to declare their support for her leadership. This development came amid rising tensions over attempts by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to reclaim his position.
DSS INVOLVEMENT AND CLERK’S LETTER The Assembly Clerk, A. T. B. Ottun, had written to the DSS on February 14, 2025, requesting enhanced security at the Assembly complex due to concerns over Obasa’s potential return. The letter, titled “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” cited a “potential security threat to the Assembly and its members” and called for strict access control.
However, confusion erupted when DSS operatives sealed off key offices, including those of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the Acting Clerk, and restricted access to the legislative chamber. Assembly workers and lawmakers, shocked by the heavy presence of armed operatives clad in black jackets, helmets, and face masks, resisted the move, leading to tense confrontations.
MELEE IN THE CHAMBER The scheduled plenary, initially set for 11:00 a.m., was delayed until 12:51 p.m. Speaker Meranda, surrounded by security and assembly staff, was seen in tears as about 36 lawmakers and assembly workers rallied around her in solidarity. Despite the delays and heightened tensions, Meranda eventually presided over the seventh plenary since Obasa’s ousting.
LAWMAKERS SPEAK OUT During the plenary, multiple lawmakers condemned the DSS’s actions. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1), who raised a motion under Personal Explanation, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and hold those responsible accountable.
Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo 1) described the incident as a “rape of democracy,” while Sabur Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2) decried the DSS conduct as “unnecessary and unprofessional.” Oluwa added, “We were elected to represent the people. If we choose to elect a new leader, that is democracy. This does not justify harassment or assault on our legislative process.”
Other lawmakers, including Gbolahan Ogunleye (Ikorodu 1) and Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2), also expressed outrage, demanding thorough investigations and swift justice. Ogunleye said, “I never imagined a day when armed men would storm the Lagos Assembly. This is a blatant violation of democratic principles.”
ASSEMBLY CLARIFIES INVITATION TO DSS In a statement issued by Assembly spokesperson Kayode Ogundipe late Monday, the Assembly clarified its stance on the DSS presence.
“Earlier today, lawmakers and staff arrived to find key offices locked and the chamber sealed. While the Assembly did request security support from the DSS, at no point did we instruct them to invade the legislative chamber or lock offices,” the statement read. “The sanctity of the Lagos State House of Assembly was undermined today by actions that obstructed lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties.”
OBASA’S COURT ACTION AND POTENTIAL RETURN The crisis stemmed from Obasa’s removal by a majority of lawmakers on January 13, 2025, while he was on holiday in Atlanta, USA. He recently approached a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, challenging his ousting and seeking an accelerated hearing. Rumors of his possible return to the Assembly on February 18, 2025, fueled Monday’s security measures.
GOVERNANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL INTERVENES In response to the ongoing crisis, the Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, announced plans to meet with President Tinubu to address the situation.
CALLS FOR JUSTICE The lawmakers ended Monday’s session with a unanimous vote of confidence in Speaker Meranda’s leadership. Despite the indefinite adjournment of plenary, tensions remain high as the Assembly and Lagos residents await further developments.
With democracy and legislative integrity at stake, all eyes are now on President Tinubu and the DSS leadership to provide clarity and ensure justice is served in this unfolding political drama.
Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention.
Governor Umaru Bago has inaugurated the Digital Media Sub-Committee for the forthcoming National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scheduled to hold on March 27 and 28, 2026 in Abuja.
Chairing the sub-committee, Governor Bago tasked members with the responsibility of effectively communicating the party’s manifesto to the public.
He emphasized the need to leverage social media platforms to highlight the achievements and ongoing efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that communication gaps have posed challenges that must now be decisively addressed.
The Co-Chair of the sub-committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, echoed the Governor’s position, urging members to project the activities of both the party and the government to a broader audience.
He called for a deliberate and coordinated effort to showcase the party’s achievements and policy direction, stressing the importance of shaping a compelling and consistent narrative across all digital platforms.
Delivering a presentation to the committee, Otega Ogra, SSA to the President on New Media, who serves as Secretary of the sub-committee, outlined strategic focus areas to guide the team’s operations.
His presentation highlighted communication priorities and actionable steps to achieve the committee’s mandate and strengthen the party’s digital engagement.
VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finalized plans to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima for the formal defection and reception of Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling party, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
State APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani Maikatako, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, the state capital. He noted that the Vice President would be joined by the party’s national leadership to mark what he described as a landmark political realignment in the state.
Maikatako expressed the party’s excitement over Governor Lawal’s return, recalling that Zamfara had historically been an APC stronghold and that the Governor was previously a bona fide member of the party before his earlier exit.
“We all know that Zamfara has long been one of the APC’s stronghold states, where the defected Governor was once a bona fide member. Now that he has decided to return home, having been satisfied that the APC remains his second choice after the one he left for obvious reasons,” Maikatako stated.
The Chairman called on all party faithful across the 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas to turn out en masse to honour the Vice President’s visit. He emphasized that the event was strategically positioned to bolster the party’s popularity and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strong appeal for unity, Maikatako urged members to set aside all factional tendencies, stressing that the APC remained one political family with shared goals, particularly the ambition to make Zamfara and Nigeria great again.
Echoing similar sentiments, a former state APC Chairman, Lawal M. Liman, appealed to members to cascade the message to their wards and local government areas. He reinforced the need for cohesion, noting that the party’s collective strength would be critical to achieving success in future elections.
All eyes are now on Gusau as the ruling party prepares for a high-profile political gathering expected to further consolidate its influence in Zamfara State.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
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