Politics

[UPDATED] VIDEO: Obasa Storms Lagos Assembly Complex With Armed Police, Civil Defence

Published

1 year ago

February 27, 2025

Editor

Confusion engulfed the Lagos State House of Assembly as ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa stormed the complex on Thursday, allegedly attempting to resume duty.

According to sources, Obasa arrived at the Assembly around 11:30 AM, accompanied by heavily armed police officers and civil defence personnel. The development has thrown the Assembly into disarray, especially as the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was reportedly absent from the scene.

Two out of 39 lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya (Osmak), representing Mushin Constituency I, and Noheem Adams, representing Mushin Constituency II, accompanied Obasa to the complex.

As of the time of filing this report, the doors to the Speaker’s office had been forced open by Obasa’s loyalists.

Some armed miscreants were also said to have accompanied Obasa to the complex to take possession and resume office.

The access roads to the complex have been taken over by individuals suspected to be Obasa’s loyalists, forcing motorists to use alternative routes as all entrances have been blocked to traffic.

Although the House is currently on an indefinite recess, reports indicate that the doors to the Speaker’s office have been forcibly opened.

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that security personnel, including police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were withdrawn on Thursday morning without any replacement.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we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.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

Watch below:

https://x.com/vanguardngrnews/status/1895083636380008880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1895083636380008880%7Ctwgr%5Eea00c26219069b4612b079c5a9b7dd6a94f1f2d7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanguardngr.com%2F2025%2F02%2Fjust-in-obasa-armed-men-break-into-lagos-speakers-office%2F

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.