Breaking: Security operatives take over Lagos Assembly amid leadership crisis

High tension on Monday as heavily armed security personnel took off the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.

The heightened security presence comes as lawmakers prepare for an emergency plenary session, amid speculations of a leadership shake-up.

Reports indicate that security operatives have been stationed around the assembly premises for nearly two weeks. However, the deployment was significantly reinforced as early as 7 AM on Monday, signaling the possibility of major political developments.

Sources within the assembly suggest that the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, is expected to step down from her position.

Her anticipated resignation is reportedly part of an effort to realign the speakership with the established zoning arrangement, which favors a candidate from the western zone of the state.

Meanwhile, men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and armed men from the Police Command have taken strategic positions around the premises, with every guest, including staff being searched thoroughly before being allowed access to the complex.

One of the staff, who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, said: “The atmosphere in the Assembly this morning is very tensed with heavy security around the Assembly.

“It was difficult for the staff to gain access to the Assembly. It took me over an hour before I was allowed into the premises.”

Recall that after weeks of political maneuvering and interventions, President Bola Tinubu and top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over the weekend, reached a resolution on the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The decision, it was gathered, which followed series of high-level meetings, solidifies Mudashiru Obasa’s removal as Speaker, albeit allowing him a soft landing by commuting his removal to resignation.

Reliable sources from the Presidential Villa disclosed that prominent party chieftains, including former APC National Chairman Bisi Akande, ex-Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, and an undisclosed former Lagos commissioner, engaged with Tinubu on the issue.