Lagos, Nigeria – In a dramatic twist to the ongoing political saga surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it uncovered a cache of weapons in the Assembly complex. The denial comes as the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has accused his political opponents of orchestrating a smear campaign against him, describing the allegations as a desperate attempt to tarnish his reputation.
A source within the DSS, who spoke to this Newspaper on Wednesday Evening, refuted the claims, stating that no weapons were found in the Assembly. The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, described the report as “false” and without merit.
In an exclusive interview, Speaker Obasa expressed his dismay over the allegations, calling them a calculated attempt to undermine his leadership. “From the foregoing, it is obviously discerning that my traducers are furtively attempting to call a dog a bad name just to hang it,” he said.
Obasa revealed that he was out of the country during the period in question, travelling abroad at the end of December and returning in January. By the time he returned, he had already been removed from his position, a matter that is now before a court of law.
The Speaker also recounted the events that unfolded during the House’s recess, alleging that his office and the Assembly Chamber were forcefully broken into and ransacked by officers acting on the orders of his political adversaries. “Immediately, their sinister act was carried out while the House was on recess, my office (the Speaker’s Office), and the Assembly Chamber were forcefully broken into and thoroughly ransacked by their assigned officers,” he stated.
Obasa dismissed the purported discovery of arms and ammunition in his office as an “afterthought,” suggesting that the allegations were fabricated to justify what he described as illegal actions. “I consider their purported sudden discovery of ‘cache of arms ammunition in the Speaker’s Office as nothing but an afterthought, having sensed the futility of their illegal actions,” he added.
The Speaker’s remarks have sparked a fresh wave of controversy in Lagos State’s political landscape, with many questioning the motives behind the allegations. Political analysts have described the situation as a deepening crisis within the ruling party, with factions vying for control of the state’s legislative arm.
As the legal battle unfolds, the public awaits further clarification from both the DSS and the Lagos State House of Assembly. For now, Speaker Obasa remains defiant, vowing to clear his name and expose what he calls a “politically motivated witch-hunt.”
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
