Nobody can dictate to us in choosing Speaker, Lagos lawmaker vows

Mr Stephen Ogundipe, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has vowed that he and his colleagues would do all within their power to resist the pressure to reinstate Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly.

Speaking before plenary was adjourned indefinitely, on Monday, Ogundipe condemned the “invasion” of the House by security operatives, describing it as an abuse of legislative procedure

“This is not government by barrels of gun. This is an aberration of democracy. Bringing in anarchy, that is what they have done today. It is a total embarrassment and harassment.”

“Nobody can dictate to us. God chooses. We are solidly behind your leadership, Mr. Speaker. Nobody can remove you,” he said.

However, the Department of State Services (DSS) says that its officers stormed the House of Assembly because the Acting Clerk of the House invited them.

The heavy presence of security at the state House of Assembly has generated condemnations with some insinuating that it is a sign that the presidency wanted the recently removed Speaker Mudashiru Obasa reinstated.

But a statement issued by the Nigeria’s secret police, said that they were invited in a letter signed by he Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. A.T.B. Ottun, dated February 14, 2025 and addressed to the Lagos State Director of the DSS.

The DSS said the letter indicated that there were plans to forcefully reinstate Obasa on February 18, 2025, and this could lead to a security risk.

The DSS attached the a letter by the clerk to its statement.

The letter said, “The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume office on the 18th of February, 2025, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members. In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday, 16th February, 2025, by increasing the presence of your men and observing strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises till further notice.”

The DSS maintained that its officers were only at there to maintain order.