The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, was seen in tears on Monday after operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian police took over the Assembly complex.
A video circulating online shows Speaker Meranda visibly emotional as her supporters cheered her.
It can be recalled that security operatives had blocked access to key offices in the complex, including those of the Speaker and the Clerk of the House. Lawmakers and staff were also restricted.
This led to chaos with the lawmakers eventually able to convene a session. During the plenary, they strongly condemned the invasion of the Assembly by security operatives, calling it an attack on democracy.
The lawmakers also passed a vote of confidence in Speaker Mojisola Meranda. The Assembly also resolved to suspend the session indefinitely.
The crisis at the Assembly comes amid the ongoing crisis following the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Obasa was removed from office on 13 January 2025 over allegations of financial misappropriation, among others.
