Police operatives and details guarding Lagos Speaker Mojisola Meranda and the House of Assembly have been allegedly withdrawn with immediate effect.
Reports indicate that police officers and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives were removed from Meranda’s protection on Thursday morning, leaving her vulnerable amid the ongoing leadership struggle.
The Senior Special Assistant to Meranda on Media, Ganzallo Victor, disclosed this, while expressing concern over her safety and called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene to prevent a potential security threat.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker had been withdrawn. This includes police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” the aide told Vanguard.
The crisis deepened further on Wednesday when suspended Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, attempted to return to office. Onafeko, who was removed alongside former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, reportedly arrived at the Assembly complex with his lawyer, two security officers, and DSS operatives in an attempt to reclaim his position. However, he was turned away by security personnel.
Eyewitnesses say Assembly staff jeered at Onafeko as he exited the premises.
The leadership crisis stems from Obasa’s removal by 32 out of 40 Assembly members, leading to Meranda’s election as Speaker. Despite interventions from President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), a resolution has yet to be reached.
As tensions rise, calls for swift intervention are growing to ensure stability in the state legislature and the safety of Speaker Meranda.
