Politics
JUST IN: Lagos Assembly Crisis Deepens As Speaker Meranda’s Security Withdrawn
Published
6 months agoon
By
Editor
The ongoing crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a dramatic turn following the withdrawal of all security details assigned to Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
The development, which comes amid a leadership tussle within the Assembly, has left the Speaker vulnerable to potential attacks.
An aide to the Speaker, speaking in confidence to Vanguard, confirmed that security personnel, including police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were withdrawn on Thursday morning without any replacement.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn. This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” the aide disclosed.
READ ALSO: Why We’re At Lagos Assembly – DSS
The aide further appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.
The crisis escalated further on Wednesday, when Olalekan Onafeko, the former and suspended Clerk of the House, attempted to resume duty at the Assembly complex. However, he was politely turned away by security personnel.
Onafeko, who was removed alongside former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, allegedly arrived at the complex around 9 a.m., accompanied by his lawyer, two security personnel, and unidentified DSS operatives, in an attempt to reclaim his office.
“He, the suspended clerk, was politely told by the lawyer of the State Assembly to leave the complex peacefully as the matter is already in court,” an eyewitness revealed.
A viral video captured Assembly staff booing and jeering at Onafeko, chanting unfavorable slogans as he was escorted out of the premises.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Lagos Speaker Meranda, Speaks On Resignation Rumour
In response to the incident, the management of the Lagos State House of Assembly, through a statement signed by Chief Security Officer Kushoro Idowu, condemned the development.
The crisis stems from the January 13 removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was ousted by 32 out of 40 members of the Assembly. Following his removal, Mojisola Meranda was elected as the substantive Speaker.
Despite interventions from President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), efforts to resolve the leadership dispute have so far yielded no positive results.
As tensions continue to rise, stakeholders are calling for immediate action to restore order and ensure the safety of Speaker Meranda and the Assembly complex.
You may like
NDLEA Arrests Wanted Lagos Pastor For Cross-border Drug Trafficking
Lagos Blue Line Raises Daily Trips
Five Injured As Tanker, Bus Collide In Lagos
VIDEO: Everyone Digging Borehole In Lekki Is Probably Drinking ‘Shit Water’ – Lagos Govt
Police Arraign Lagos ‘Most Wanted Vicious’ Suspected Hired Killer
Court Remands Suspected Lagos Most Wanted Assassin
Politics
Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable
Published
2 hours agoon
August 13, 2025By
Editor
The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State said it will relocate registration points for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration exercise from local government secretariats currently under lock.
Osun LG secretariats have been shut since February 17, 2025, due to a tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over control of councils.
The APC had claimed that the February 10, 2025, decision of the Court of Appeal, Akure, had returned its candidates elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections, but sacked by the Osogbo Federal High Court in December 2022.
But the PDP insisted that the officials who emerged on February 22, 2025, are legally recognised to manage the affairs of council areas in the state.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the affected INEC offices had been identified and would be moved to alternative locations to ensure the CVR proceeds without disruption.
READ ALSO:INEC Gets 151 Party Registration Requests, Begins Screening
Agboke said, “The CVR will start on the 18th day of August, 2025, with online registration.
“By this, the prospective registrant will visit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org to supply the necessary information about himself or herself.
“Thereafter, he or she will generate a slip to take to INEC local government office within his place of residence.
“Later on the 25th of August 2025, the registrant will visit the local government office for his or her biometrics, i.e the fingerprint and the facial.
“INEC offices located inside local government secretariats are not shut down.
READ ALSO:INEC Extends Voter Registration In Anambra Amid High Turnout
“However, INEC has harvested the number of those local government offices. We want to bring them out of the LG secretariats. We are working on that. Our headquarters had requested for their details and we have forwarded to them.”
Agboke also announced that activities for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election have officially begun, with notices posted in all INEC LG offices.
Party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, while submission of candidates’ particulars will run from January 15 to February 9, 2026.
He stated, “This is necessary to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The submission of forms EC9 ( personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (Names/list of nominated candidates) online at the nomination portal of the commission at 9 am on the 15th day of January, 2026, to 6 pm on the 9th February 2026.
READ ALSO:INEC Opens Window For New Registration In Anambra
“Access code for the submission of nomination forms shall be available for collection on 15th December, 2025, at the headquarters of the commission. I implore all the political parties and other stakeholders to follow the timetable for the 2026 Governorship Election for Osun State with a view to tracking the various activities contained therein. Copies of the timetable shall be made available to the political parties at this meeting in a short while. The 2026 Governorship election shall be conducted on the 8th day of August,2026.”
He appealed to political parties and other major stakeholders to work against the menace of vote buying, saying the electorate should be educated not to sell their votes.
The REC also called on all stakeholders to continue supporting INEC in the state for it to deliver a credible election, noting that the commission alone cannot deliver a peaceful and successful election without their cooperation.
(PUNCH)
Politics
JUST IN: Total Loyalty Non-negotiable, PDP Tells Members
Published
3 hours agoon
August 13, 2025By
Editor
The Peoples Democratic Party has warned that it will not tolerate disloyalty from any member, stressing that total commitment to the party’s cause is non-negotiable.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party will rely on its constitution to ensure members remain committed to its cause.
READ ALSO:Alleged ₦3.51bn Travel Expenditure: Ignore PDP’s Claim On Okpebholo, Edo APC Tells Residents
Responding to a question about the recent conditions set by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the success of the November 15 and 16 National Elective Convention, Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP is about the people, not any individual.
He said, “We have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. We expect and demand total loyalty from all our members. Anything short of that will not be tolerated, and we shall invoke the relevant sections of the party’s constitution to enforce this.”
Details shortly…
Politics
By-Election: APC Correcting PDP 8 Years Of Underdevelopment In Edo, Days Idahosa
Published
1 day agoon
August 12, 2025By
Editor
The deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa says the Monday Okpebholo-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state is correcting the eight years wrong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Idahosa, however, urged more support for the administration and the APC to attract more developmental projects across the nook and cranny of the state.
Idahosa made this statement when the campaign train stormed Usen and Ugbogui wards of Ovia South West Local Government Area.
He urged the people to come out enmass to exercise their civic duty on Saturday in support of the APC candidate, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion.
READ ALSO:By-Election: Idahosa Assures Of More Infrastructural Development In Ovia
Idahosa said support for the party would mean more developmental projects for the area that had lacked same from the immediate past administration of the PDP.
“The present APC government led by Sen. Monday Okpebholo is the one that has started transforming your area within nine months in the office.
“He can only do more with your support, especially by voting for his party’s candidate on Saturday,” he pleaded.
On her part, the APC candidate, Omosede Igbinedion, promised to synergise with the governor his deputy to attract more developmental projects to the constituency.
READ ALSO: Edo Bye-Elections: Show You Are On Ground, Idahosa Tasks APC Leaders
Similarly, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said the government has put measures in place to ensure no students is sent home for want of school fee.
According to him, the state government has concluded plans to pay bursaries for students while market women would enjoy soft loans.
Meanwhile, Elawure of Usen, Ovia south west local government ,have advised Politicians to be united in their pursuit of common goal of delivery dividends of democracy to the people.
READ ALSO: Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG
Oluogbe II gave this advise when he received the campaign team of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the state deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
The traditional ruler expressed joy in the unity between Idahosa and the APC candidate for the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled Saturday, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion.
He noted that the present unity and synergy between the former political foe would bring nothing but victory for their party, as well as development to the people of the federal constituency.
- How Terrorist Leader, Abubakar Abba, Was arrested – Niger Govt
- Vigilante Shoots Father Who Prevented Kidnapper Son’s Arrest In Kwara
- Suspended Ebonyi Radio GM Bags Two Awards
- Promotion: Policewomen Demand Apology From Sowore Over Gender Bias Comments
- FEC Approves N142bn For Construction Of Bus Terminals Six Zones
- Why FG Named KWAM 1 Aviation Security Ambassador — Keyamo
- Police Arrest Six Suspected Cultists In Anambra Black Spot Raid
- PENGASSAN Shuts OML-18 Over Labour Dispute With NNPC Subsidiary
- Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable
- Ekiti Court Remands Lady For Stealing New Born In Health Facility
Trending
- Metro2 days ago
BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Tambuwal Over Alleged N189bn Fraud
- Entertainment4 days ago
Singer Mr Eazi Weds Temi Otedola In Iceland [VIDEO]
- News2 days ago
JUST IN: Ibom Air Passenger Charged To Court Over ‘Unruly’ Act, Remanded In Prison
- Metro3 days ago
Our Children Wrote A Letter Disowning Me After My Husband Accused Me Of Dating Another Man —Wife
- Politics5 days ago
2031: Prophet Predicts Kwankwaso, Akpabio Ticket
- Politics4 days ago
ADC: Why INEC Has Not Recognised David Mark, Others
- Entertainment2 days ago
VeryDarkMan Reacts To Visions Of His Death
- Entertainment4 days ago
VIDEO: Davido Reveals Cost Of His White Wedding
- Metro2 days ago
NDLEA Arrests 46 Suspects, Seizes 40,000 KG Of Drugs
- News2 days ago
Ibom Air Passenger Emmason: Why Kwam1 Was Not Charged In Court — NCAA