Politics

JUST IN: Lagos Assembly Crisis Deepens As Speaker Meranda’s Security Withdrawn

Published

10 months ago

February 27, 2025

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that security personnel, including police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were withdrawn on Thursday morning without any replacement.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we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.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.

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.

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.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.