The Lagos State House of Assembly is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis, prompting embattled Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to seek additional security measures. On March 12, 2025, a letter addressed to the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), signed by the Clerk of the House, O. B. Onafeko, requested the deployment of armed officers to the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
The letter stated: "I have the instruction of the Leadership of the House to request for Armed Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to provide security cover for the Lagos State House of Assembly as well as Honourable members and Staff." This move indicates anticipation of potential unrest or confrontation within the Assembly premises.
The leadership crisis intensified following conflicting judicial pronouncements. The National Industrial Court clarified that it did not order the reinstatement of Clerk Onafeko, contrary to reports from Obasa’s camp.
The court had only directed both parties to maintain peace pending further hearings. Justice M.N. Esowe expressed shock over Onafeko’s forceful takeover of the Assembly Secretariat, using security operatives to eject Acting Clerk Taiwo Ottun.
The crisis has been exacerbated by a multi-billion naira procurement scandal involving official vehicles for lawmakers. Obasa had reportedly sanctioned the procurement of 35 Toyota Fortuner SUVs and 10 Toyota Prado SUVs from Dubai at a cost of N7 billion.
During her brief tenure as Speaker, Mojisola Meranda reviewed the proposal, opting instead for a local dealer who supplied 32 units of 2025 Toyota Prado SUVs and seven Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 models for N5 billion, effectively saving the Assembly N2 billion. This decision allegedly enraged Obasa, who is now demanding that all SUVs procured under Meranda be returned.
In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu convened an emergency closed-door meeting with Speaker Obasa, Mojisola Meranda, and other Lagos lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The lawmakers were flown to Abuja on a chartered flight arranged by Tinubu in an effort to prevent the crisis from spiraling further out of control.
The court has scheduled March 18 for the hearing of all pending applications, further delaying a resolution to the crisis. As events unfold, the situation within the Lagos State House of Assembly remains tense, with stakeholders and citizens alike awaiting a peaceful resolution.
