Ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has denied reports alleging that firearms were discovered in his office at the assembly complex.
Obasa’s rebuttal comes amid ongoing political tension, with the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, also refuting claims that she has resigned from her position.
Firearms Allegation
Online reports on Tuesday alleged that 47 pump-action guns were discovered by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) during a visit to the Lagos Assembly on Monday. While some accounts suggested the weapons were found in Obasa’s office, others claimed they were located in the office of the former Chief Security Officer.
In response, Obasa released a statement on Wednesday, describing the report as a “concoction.”
“The ill-conceived story, apart from being a complete concoction, clearly exposes its author and paymasters as maliciously of low intelligence quotient, only out to malign my hard-earned reputation spanning decades of political leadership and legislative hard work,” Obasa stated.
A DSS source also debunked the claim, confirming to The PUNCH that no such weapons were uncovered at the assembly.
Meranda Denies Resignation
Similarly, Speaker Mojisola Meranda dismissed reports that she had stepped down from her role. A letter allegedly containing her resignation had circulated on social media, but investigations showed that it lacked her signature.
In a statement, Meranda’s Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, affirmed, “I’m in the office. The Speaker is in the office. I don’t know where that (resignation report) is coming from.”
APC Lawmakers Refute Defection Claims
In a separate development, the Lagos Assembly on Wednesday dismissed reports that 27 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had defected to the Labour Party.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Ogundipe Olukayode, labeled the reports as false and misleading.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly wishes to categorically debunk the malicious and unfounded publication alleging that 27 members of the assembly are planning to defect from the ruling party to the opposition Labour Party. This publication is entirely false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public,” Olukayode stated.
He emphasized that the recent leadership changes in the assembly, including the removal of Obasa and the election of Meranda, were internal legislative decisions made in accordance with constitutional provisions.
IPAC Urges Obasa to Allow Peace
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged Obasa to accept his removal and allow peace to reign in the assembly.
Speaking to journalists, IPAC Chairperson Temilola Akinade expressed concern over the disruption of legislative activities due to the crisis.
“IPAC will no longer accept distraction at the Lagos State House of Assembly. It is enough in the assembly that prides itself as above the common standard of excellence,” Akinade stated.
She called on Obasa to step aside and allow Meranda to perform her duties without interference, warning that personal interests should not be allowed to destabilize governance in Lagos State.
“The impeached speaker should allow Madam Speaker (Meranda) to continue from where he has stopped. The law allows lawmakers to choose one of them as the speaker, and an overwhelming number have spoken,” Akinade added.
As tensions persist, stakeholders are calling for calm and a resolution to the leadership crisis to ensure effective governance in the state.