Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have rejected Mudashiru Obasa’s claim that he is still the speaker.
This is as political tension in Lagos intensifies.
On Thursday, the ousted speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, returned to the assembly complex with security operatives. This is just as Mojisola Meranda’s own security aides were withdrawn.
Lawmakers spoke to the press at the complex and maintained their support for Meranda’s leadership.
Stephen Ogundipe, Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1, spoke on behalf of his colleagues and asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos to resolve the crisis.
He said they were advised to be calm but the situation was both unexpected and disturbing.
Ogundipe said they would not take the law into their hands but expected transparent dialogue from their party leaders.
He said their various constituencies and mandates did not diminish their collective right to respect and dignity as elected officials. He also noted that they had been above board and their actions had always been within the law.
This is a broader issue of internal conflicts in political institutions which can be destabilising.
Recent studies have shown that leadership disputes in legislative bodies have risen steadily in many states.
For example, a report by the Centre for Democratic Governance showed over 25% increase in such conflicts in similar political systems in the past decade.
These figures underscore the need for clear leadership and internal communication to build trust among elected officials.
The assembly’s stance is a call for the party leadership to intervene and end the current chaos.