The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has condemned the actions of ousted speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, as a “show of shame” following a disruption at the Assembly complex on Thursday.
Obasa and his security officials had stormed the assembly complex on Thursday and entered the speaker’s office.
He also presided over a four-man parliament after he dragged the state government and the assembly to court over what he termed as unlawful removal.
Speaking to journalists after the court hearing at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Friday, Meranda emphasised that the legal battle was only beginning, and urged all parties to allow the legal teams to handle the matter.
“This is actually just the beginning. Just like what happened in there, both parties have their representatives and I think we should allow the legal team to do their job,” she said.
Meranda also addressed the recent disruption when Obasa entered the Assembly complex, stating that while Obasa still holds a seat in the Assembly and has the right to come, his invasion of her office was unacceptable.
“I think he is still a member of the House of Assembly so he has every right to come but the invasion and breaking into my office, that is really a big one,” she said.
She described Obasa’s sitting with four lawmakers as a “show of shame,” pointing out that a quorum in the Assembly requires more members.
“We have numbers that form a quorum, so if you’re sitting with three or four members, you’re only doing theatre,” she said.
The Speaker further noted that although her initially withdrawn security detail was restored, it was a contrast to the usual level of protection she receives.
“I have three or four policemen, whereas my normal convoy, my team… 12 policemen, four DSS, and two anti-bomb units. But I don’t have that this morning,” she said.
The Assembly’s spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, who also spoke after the court hearing said, “We are very clear about this. We can see what happened here, it was a show of shame. Even when questions were being raised, we saw the answers they were giving. He is the one that took us to court. And you saw the drama even his lawyers were doing in court today, it’s very unfortunate but when we get to the bridge we will cross it.”
Ogundipe further stressed the support Meranda has within the Assembly, noting that 35 lawmakers, including Meranda herself, stand united in support of her leadership.
