In a significant development surrounding the ongoing Lagos State House of Assembly speakership crisis, two lawmakers, Lanre Afinni and Sylvester Ogunkelu, who had been detained by the State Security Service (SSS), have now been released following hours of interrogation. This comes after the two lawmakers were questioned about their involvement in the controversial removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
The crisis began on January 13, 2025, when a majority of the Assembly members ousted Obasa from his position as Speaker. The removal was followed by the election of Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker. Afinni and Ogunkelu were allegedly detained by SSS officials in connection with accusations that they had broken into a House store to access the mace, the symbol of authority needed to convene the Assembly and facilitate Obasa’s removal.
The detention of the two lawmakers sparked controversy and political debate, with many seeing it as an attempt to suppress the democratic processes within the Assembly. However, Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Information, confirmed the release of the detained lawmakers on Thursday, January 30. Ogundipe also emphasized that the removal of Obasa was a lawful act, fully adhering to constitutional guidelines, and defended the Assembly’s actions as legitimate and democratic.
In his statement, Ogundipe clarified that the Lagos Assembly had been invited by the DSS for questioning and that they provided comprehensive details of the circumstances surrounding the removal of the former speaker. He reiterated that the decision to remove Obasa had followed the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the Assembly the power to regulate its internal affairs, including the election and removal of the Speaker. According to Ogundipe, the Assembly had acted in accordance with Sections 92 and 96 of the Constitution, which outline the legal procedures for such actions.
Ogundipe also stressed that any challenge to the removal of the former Speaker would be undermining the constitutional authority of the Assembly and that the move had been made with the best interests of Lagos residents in mind. He added that the Assembly was committed to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring effective governance.
In a show of solidarity, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai, along with other lawmakers, visited the DSS office in an effort to secure the release of their detained colleagues. The intervention of the lawmakers was successful, and the two were released after the interrogation. Ogundipe praised the professionalism of the DSS officers involved, particularly the Director of the Lagos Command, for facilitating a smooth and respectful dialogue during the process.
The release of Afinni and Ogunkelu has been met with reactions from various quarters, including on social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, where users discussed the political implications of the detention and the ongoing crisis within the Lagos State Assembly. Some commentators expressed concern about the perceived interference in the legislative process, while others defended the actions of the Assembly as necessary for upholding constitutional governance.
Ogundipe concluded by reaffirming the Assembly’s dedication to its legislative responsibilities, emphasizing that it would continue to prioritize the welfare of Lagos residents and the democratic principles upon which the state’s governance is built. He also called for all stakeholders, including the executive branch and the public, to respect the autonomy of the legislature and avoid any undue interference in its internal affairs.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the speakership crisis will lead to further political confrontations or if it will be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect for constitutional processes.
