In a stunning development that has left Lagosians and Nigerians questioning the integrity of their leaders, the Lagos State House of Assembly today descended into chaos, with lawmakers and security agencies embroiled in a political drama that reeks of manipulation and deceit.
The controversy began on Friday, February 14th, when the Assembly leadership wrote to the Department of State Services (DSS) requesting enhanced security for the legislature. The letter, signed by Acting Clerk ATB Ottun, alleged that former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was recently removed from office, posed a significant threat and might attempt to storm the Assembly on February 18th. Acting on this request, the DSS and police deployed personnel to the Assembly complex over the weekend, positioning them in strategic areas to ensure security.
However, today’s events have exposed a web of contradictions. Lawmakers, who had explicitly requested the security presence, suddenly pretended to be oblivious to the DSS operatives and police officers stationed at the complex. This bizarre turn of events has led to accusations that the Assembly leadership is playing politics with the emotions of Nigerians and Lagosians.
A high-ranking DSS source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the lawmakers are exploiting the situation for political gain. “The speaker and members of the Lagos House of Assembly are playing on the emotions of Nigerians and Lagos State as a whole,” the source said. “They requested our presence, and now they are acting as if they don’t know why we are here. It’s all a game to them.”
The police have also confirmed receiving the Assembly’s letter, stating that they took the request seriously. “We got a letter from the House, and we acted on it,” a police source said. “Our presence here is based on their request, not our own initiative.”
Meanwhile, a source close to President Bola Tinubu has denied any involvement in the deployment of security personnel to the Assembly. “The President would never order the police to be at the Assembly,” the source stated emphatically. “This is purely a local issue, and most of them are just playing politics.”
Security Shake-Up Adds to the Mystery
Amid the unfolding drama, a major shake-up in the security apparatus has further fueled speculation. The Inspector General of Police has replaced the Lagos Commissioner of Police, while the Lagos Director of the DSS has been transferred to Bayelsa State. The timing of these changes has raised questions about whether they are connected to the ongoing crisis at the Assembly.
While official statements claim the transfers are routine, insiders suggest they may be linked to the political manoeuvring surrounding the Assembly’s leadership tussle. The removal of key security figures in Lagos at such a critical moment has left many wondering who is truly pulling the strings behind the scenes.
A Crisis of Trust
The Lagos State House of Assembly, once a symbol of democratic governance, has become a stage for political theatrics. The removal of the former Speaker, which should have been a straightforward constitutional process, has instead sparked controversy and crisis, further eroding public trust in the state’s institutions.
As the drama continues to unfold, Lagosians are left demanding answers: Why did the lawmakers request security only to disavow the presence of the DSS and police? What role do the recent security transfers play in this political chess game? And who stands to benefit from this calculated chaos?
One thing is certain: the Lagos State House of Assembly is no longer just a legislative body—it has become a battleground for political power plays, with security agencies and the public caught in the crossfire.
More to come as this story develops.
