A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Fouad Oki, has warned that the ongoing crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly is escalating into a dangerously monstrous situation.
He cautioned that if the crisis persists, it could surpass the political turmoil in Rivers State, adding that the ongoing speakership tussle in Lagos might become the most intense legislative crisis in Nigeria’s history.
Oki made this assertion on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, just hours after armed security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services stormed the Assembly chamber.
The security operatives initially barred the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, from entering the premises. She was eventually allowed in after several hours and presided over the plenary, during which she became emotional as lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in her leadership.
“If you see what happened today, you will begin to look at Rivers State, the mayhem that is also consuming Osun State, you look at what is also happening in Kano, you put all of these together, and it will be like a child’s play to (that of) Lagos,” Oki told Channels Television.
The leadership crisis in the Lagos Assembly began after the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, sparking weeks of intense political struggle. Obasa has, however, rejected his removal as illegal and has taken the matter to court to challenge the process.
Oki described Monday’s events at the Lagos Assembly as a disgrace and a significant setback for democracy.
“Today is a sad day for me and indeed for all lovers of democracy in Nigeria,” he stated.
He further declared that there should be no more compromises or attempts at appeasement, vowing to defend democracy alongside those who fought for its survival in the past.
“If there are those who do not have a sense of history, those who may either be benefactors of Hon Mudashiru Obasa or supporting him to cause a breach of the peace in Lagos, we will again put our lives on the line to defend democracy,” Oki said.
