The ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly took a dramatic turn yesterday as the impeached Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, stormed the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly, located in the Alausa area of the state, with heavy security on Thursday and went straight to occupy the Speaker’s office.

The crisis began 45 days ago, on 13th January 2025, when about 36 lawmakers removed Obasa as Speaker and replaced him with Meranda, the then-deputy speaker. 

Obasa, dressed in a white Yoruba attire matched with his usual cap, arrived at the Assembly premises with many policemen to prevent anyone from stopping him and walked straight to his former office to resume activities.

The manner in which the former speaker staged his comeback, while the other lawmakers had earlier adjourned sitting indefinitely, left the few Assembly workers confused.

He was later joined in the Assembly complex by his teeming political supporters, who sang songs in solidarity with him.

Addressing journalists after entering the office of the Speaker and walking around the Assembly premises, Obasa stated that he had nothing against his fellow lawmakers and that he was impeached, not removed, as stipulated in the Constitution.

Obasa also denied knowledge of a suit he had filed at the Lagos State High Court challenging his removal from office on the thirteenth of last month.

It was also gathered that the police had withdrawn all escorts guarding the current Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, and those safeguarding the Assembly.

LEADERSHIP Friday reliably gathered that the withdrawal of the security personnel was with immediate effect, while that of the impeached speaker was restored, a development that emboldened him to move into the Assembly complex.

As the bewildered Lagos Assembly staff tried to understand the plot of the political drama, Obasa proceeded to preside over a controversial plenary session with only four lawmakers in attendance.
The session occurred after security personnel forcibly opened the chamber doors, allowing Obasa and his supporters to enter.

However, what was discussed during the session was unknown to jourmalists.

Despite the move, over 26 other legislators refused to join the plenary, supporting the newly recognised Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

The session, which commenced at 3pm, was ongoing by 3:30pm, with lawmakers and assembly staff livid at the occurrence.

Meanwhile, the opposing 36 lawmakers loyal to the Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda, rejected the return of Obasa as Speaker, saying their decision stands.

Speaking with newsmen on the Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja, the lawmakers, led by the House Committee chairman on Information, Strategy, and Security, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, described the former Speaker’s entry into the premises with armed men as an embarrassment to the House.
Ogundipe said the lawmakers who removed Obasa were more than the two-thirds required by the Constitution and that the leadership of their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), should be bold enough to address the issue.

As the unending leadership crisis rocking the Lagos House of Assembly lingers, lawmakers have faulted the perpetual silence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and the highest decision-making organ of the Lagos APC Chapter, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), saying their actions have continued to encourage illegality within the Assembly.

They said that rather than invite them to address whatever grievances exist within the House and state their position publicly, the leaders have kept them in the dark. They speak through the media without categorically identifying themselves and use other unapproved methods of communication that are not specified for crisis management within the APC, the lawmakers said.

It was learned that security escorts attached to the former speaker prevented lawmakers from accessing their offices and aided Obasa in forcefully gaining access to his Speaker’s office, where he sat for minutes before leaving.

It was gathered that Obasa instructed the armed mobile policemen not to allow anyone outside their offices, particularly the lawmakers, to access the building.

Observers who felt the speakership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly might be resolved soon, following the intervention of heavyweights in the All Progressives Congress, were disappointed with the current development.

It will be recalled that the APC bigwigs, notably former governors of Osun, Ogun, and Lagos states, Chief Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, respectively, intervened in the crisis recently.
It was gathered that President Bola Tinubu directed a high-powered APC delegation to resolve the political tension at the Lagos Assembly following the inability of the Governance Advisory Council to find a solution.

It’s A Betrayal Of Democracy – Atiku

In his reaction, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the events in the Lagos State House of Assembly as a betrayal of democracy.

According to Atiku, the unfolding events in the Lagos State House of Assembly have exposed the dangerous erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Atiku said just days after Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Kaduna State, publicly accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of engaging in selective machine politics, the crisis in the Lagos legislature has troublingly validated these claims.
In a statement issued by Paul Ibe, for the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president said the unceremonious removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa by an overwhelming majority of Assembly members and the historic appointment of Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly should have marked a step forward for democracy.

We Have Restored Meranda’s Security, Say Police

The Lagos State Police Command said it had restored the security detail of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, who disclosed this at a press conference, said four security personnel attached to the Speaker, who were earlier withdrawn, had since been restored.

According to the CP, the withdrawal of the security operatives attached to the Speaker and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in the state was in line with an ongoing audit of police personnel and firearms.

He disclosed that the same audit is being conducted in other states’ police commands, not Lagos alone..
The security escorts attached to the Speaker’s office and residence were withdrawn on Thursday morning.

The former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has condemned the political crisis that rocked the state’s House of Assembly on Thursday.

Also, Speaker Mojisola Meranda‘s security details were withdrawn by security agencies.

In a statement on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour decried the disregard for due process by Obasa in storming the House.

He stated that the action confirmed the categorization made by former Governor Nasir El-Rufaiof Kaduna State that some of the political elites in Lagos are ‘Area Boys’.

“Elrufai might have been spot on with his categorization of Yoruba Political elites in Lagos: the Omoluabis and the Area boys. Sadly, clips of the suspended speaker forcing his was into parliament is a clear demonstration of the moral decline in leadership where violence and thuggery reigns over ideas and decorum.

“The former speaker preceeded with this action despite the outcry following the desecration of the assembly by security officials barely a week ago,” he said.

The Labour Party chieftain noted that Obasa, following allegations of financial misappropriation against him, should be in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) custody.

Rhodes-Vivour called for respect for the legislative institution. He warned against any ploy to undermine the Lagos parliament.

“The violation of the people’s parliament is unacceptable and such brazen desecration of our institutions should be resisted by all.

“No man’s ego or ambition is more important than the constitution or the sacredness of our democratic institutions. A man who has questions of financial misappropriation and abuse of office should not have the temerity to force his way into office, He should be answering questions from the EFCC on the NGN 17,000,000,000 gate and other allegations brought up by the assembly against him.

“This is a nation of laws and not an animal farm, unfortunately, left in the hands of “Area boys” we will continue our descent to an animal farm,” he added.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, to withhold subscription price increase until after investigation.

FCCPC on Tuesday summoned MultiChoice to explain the rationale behind the increase in subscription price for DStv and GOtv.

The Commission stated that MultiChoice unilateral price hikes showed potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.

In a statement on Thursday, the FCCPC said the decision to halt the increase in subscription price was to protect customers while the investigation goes on.

It read in part: “Nigeria to maintain its current subscription prices until the ongoing investigation into its proposed price hike is concluded.

“This directive follows MultiChoice Nigeria’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the Commission.

“While the FCCPC has granted the request, the company is now required to attend the rescheduled investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, along with all relevant officers and a comprehensive response.

“Pursuant to this, MultiChoice is expressly instructed to maintain the existing price structure as of February 27, 2025, pending the Commission’s review and final determination on the matter.

“Maintaining the status quo on pricing is essential to prevent any potential consumer harm during this period.

“Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”

A former governorship candidate in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has asserted that if Peter Obi will contest in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election, he will not do so on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

Recall that Peter Obi was the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election.

Speaking during an interview on Tuesday on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Ozigbo boldly declared that Obi would not run for president on LP if he chose to join the forthcoming presidential race.

During the interview, Ozigbo remarked on a recent comment by the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu.

He also defended his move from the LP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I know Mugalu is an elder compared to me; otherwise, I would have said to him what a child sees standing up. What an elder sees sitting down, a child can’t even see standing up.

“So that’s his choice, and I believe it won’t be long before he comes to the same conclusion with me and I wish the Labour Party well. I’m not here really to demarcate the Labour Party, but I am saying to you and to everyone, I personally don’t see a future in the Labour Party, that’s my judgment and I’m happy to live with it and I would love to be proven wrong. So if he finds comfort and so be it,” Ozigbo said.

When asked to defend the remark by some persons that he (Ozigbo) has a character of use and dump, he said: “You saw the PDP, used it, dumped it, used the Labour Party, used it, dumped it, you’re moving to the APC. Actually, it’s a very wrong way to characterize this.

“It’s rather about somebody who is insistent on right process and due process.

“Now we are also talking about leaving MPP to APGA, to PDP, to the Labour Party, and I can almost guarantee that if he (Peter Obi) wishes to run for election, it will not be under the Labour Party. I can almost guarantee that.

Really? the interviewer, Seun Okinbaloye, asked.

“I am not his spokesperson, so maybe,” Ozigbo replied.

Okinbaloye reiterated, but you are close to him? “Maybe I’m wrong, but I am a witness to a lot of discussions around coalitions and which I can’t tell you my own, you know, optimism about that. But the point here is that when you get into a party, I enjoyed my time in PDP,” Ozigbo replied.

He added: “They granted us free and fair primary, and I was proud of what then Uche Secundus did. When the later leadership showed up, a lot of things changed in PDP and part of the reason why they also have not done well in recent times.

“And so when Peter Obi left PDP to join Labour Party, because what I do is purposeful politics, not transactional politics, I thought that the best decision was to join Peter Obi to support him and I can boast to being one of the biggest and most impactful supporters he had in that election coming out of South East.
And so no regrets for that support. I was proud of whatever effort I put in there because I believed in this country.

“I wanted to sacrifice for this country.

“And to now suggest that if Labour is dying, I should die with Labour would be very wicked of anybody. And that’s the point I’m making. Over time, you will see what I’m saying.

“If you haven’t seen it now, in fact, if you’re a politician, if you’re a savvy politician, you would have noticed by now. I mean, how can you explain a performance in a door? How do you explain that?”

The Kano State Government has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the removal of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero from the Nasarawa Palace, alleging that certain individuals are exploiting his continued presence to fuel unrest in the state.

Speaking at the Kano Government House during the distribution of relief materials provided by Tarauni Federal Constituency Representative, Kabiru Dahiru Sule, the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, reiterated the administration’s stance and urged the president to intervene immediately.

Naija News reports that Gwarzo did not mince words, calling on Tinubu to relocate the emir he had installed and restore peace in Kano.

“We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the emir he enthroned and kept in a graveyard.

“The people of Kano, especially the youth, are tired of this nonsense. It is shocking that in a democratic setting, security forces are being deployed to fire teargas at peaceful protesters, with some reports even alleging the use of live ammunition,” Gwarzo said.

He further criticized the deployment of military personnel across the city, stating, “In the evening, military vehicles patrolled the city, even parking in front of my house. But we want to make it clear that there is no intimidation. This is a democracy, and democracy must be upheld, whether some people like it or not.”

Kano Government Backs Protests Against Emir Bayero

The deputy governor justified the recent protests by Kano residents, emphasizing that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental democratic right.

He condemned security forces for suppressing protesters and making arrests, insisting that Kano residents have the right to demand the removal of Emir Bayero.

Gwarzo said, “The president should remove the emir he appointed and take him to his own state. Kano already has an emir, and that’s Muhammadu Sanusi II. Today, regardless of who you are, even if you are the ‘Emir of the World,’ you cannot appoint an emir in Kano unless you are Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

He accused powerful political forces of attempting to destabilize the Kano government by keeping Emir Bayero in the Nasarawa Palace. He emphasized that the law facilitated Sanusi II’s reinstatement and must be respected.

“The same law that facilitated the appointment of the former emir has reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II. The rule of law must be upheld, and no individual or institution should attempt to obstruct it,” he stated.

The Kano State Government insists that President Tinubu must act swiftly to prevent further escalation of tensions and ensure that democratic principles are upheld in the state.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns that organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing criminal cells in Nigerian cities and recruiting young Nigerians into cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.

A statement on Wednesday by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, revealed that Olukoyede made these remarks while receiving participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course from the National Institute for Security Studies, led by its Director of Studies, Hyginus Ngele.

“Another dimension that is not given attention is the discovery, recently, that organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities and recruiting young Nigerians into serious organized cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud,” Olukoyede said.

He further disclosed that recent EFCC intelligence suggests that foreign fraudsters are also illegally importing arms into Nigeria using cryptocurrency as a means of payment.

“In the special operations we carried out in Lagos recently, we arrested 194 foreigners in the heart of Victoria Island. Among them were Chinese, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, Tunisians, and others, all in a single building. Some lacked valid visas, and most of their financial activities were conducted through cryptocurrency,” he revealed.

Additionally, Olukoyede noted that some of the arrested foreigners were ex-convicts in their home countries who had escaped prosecution and sought refuge in Nigeria and other African nations.

Olukoyede questioned how bandits and insurgents have sustained their activities over the years, highlighting the uncontrolled flow of small arms and light weapons across Nigerian borders.

He also pointed out the role of non-state actors in the illegal exploitation of minerals, which compounds security threats in the country.

He called for coordinated national and continental efforts to combat the activities of foreign fraud syndicates and internet criminals, stressing the link between money laundering and national security threats.

“All security, intelligence, and law enforcement organizations in Nigeria and Africa must close ranks in dealing with this challenge,” he said.

He also expressed concern that for nearly two decades, Nigeria has been plagued by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes, blaming part of the crisis on non-state actors.

“At the level of the EFCC, we have always been suspicious of the activities of non-state actors in areas facing security challenges. In the North-East, for instance, the activities of local and international NGOs have come under scrutiny. This led to their mandatory registration with SCUML (Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering) and a directive to notify the EFCC on cash movements within the region,” he added.

Speaking earlier, NISS Commandant, Joseph Odama, represented by Hyginus Ngele, commended Olukoyede’s leadership, praising the EFCC’s achievements in combating corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes.

He further noted that the EFCC has played a critical role in exposing the networks through which some NGOs and other entities fund hostile non-state actors, fueling instability in Nigeria and Africa

The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Wednesday said he inherited N8.9 billion debt from his predecessor when he took over office.

The former Kano State governor disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing National Executive Committee meeting of the APC.

He noted that the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.

Ganduje said, “The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements.” 

However, he noted that Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana (SAN), the National Legal Adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.

“We still passionately appeal to the National Executive Committee to intervene accordingly,” he pleaded.

The meeting was attended by President Bola Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; state governors; NWC members; and other party chieftains.

On August 3, 2023, the APC’s NEC elected Ganduje as the party’s National Chairman.

The party’s NEC also elected former Senate spokesman Ajibola Basiru from Osun State as National Secretary.

The two party officials were elected today at the 12th NEC meeting of the party held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

Addressing party leaders after his emergence, Ganduje thanked the President and promised that internal democracy would prevail in the party during his tenure.

The ex-Kano governor pledged to ensure a scientific register of party members and pay the utmost attention to election management and conflict resolution.

A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has sentenced a 21-year-old man, Adebanjo Segun, to six months imprisonment for stealing a fowl.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogbonnaya Dyke, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Segun’s troubles began on February 19, 2025, when he was arrested for stealing a hen.

Ogbonnaya noted that investigations revealed the convict had committed a similar offence in December 2024 but was pardoned as a supposed first-time offender.

The statement read: “Following the discovery of his previous offence, he was arraigned before the Ago-Iwoye Magistrate’s Court on February 20, 2025, on a lone charge under Section 430 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2006.

“After pleading guilty before His Worship O.F. Adeduntan (Mrs.), he was convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.”

In a related development, the court also sentenced a 20-year-old, Kazeem Tobi, to six months’ imprisonment for stealing an Elepaq generator valued at about ₦120,000.

Tobi was arrested by an NSCDC patrol team at Idode One Way in Ago-Iwoye while attempting to sell the stolen generator to a scavenger.

According to Ogbonnaya, the suspect was re-arrested on February 4, 2025, and after investigations, was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and possession of stolen property.

He stated: “The defendant pleaded guilty before His Worship O.F. Adeduntan (Mrs.) and was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ijebu-Ode, while the case was adjourned to February 10, 2025, for trial and sentencing.

“Upon presentation of the facts, the court found the defendant guilty under Section 430 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2006, and sentenced him accordingly to six months’ imprisonment.”