Tension is mounting in the Lagos State House of Assembly following the sudden withdrawal of all security aides attached to Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
As of Thursday morning, police officers and other security personnel assigned to Meranda were reportedly removed, leaving her without official protection, according to The PUNCH.
Sources close to the Speaker confirmed the development, raising concerns over her safety.
“All the Speaker’s security aides have been withdrawn. The security details attached to the House of Assembly have also been taken off,” a source disclosed. “The Speaker is now vulnerable.”
The reason behind the withdrawal remains unclear, and it has not been confirmed who authorised the decision.
However, the move comes amid speculation that Meranda may step down as Speaker following political interventions within the ruling All Progressives Congress.
A panel led by APC chieftains Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba had met with key stakeholders at the Governor’s Lodge in Marina last Sunday. Reports indicate that the panel recommended the resignation of embattled former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and also advised that Meranda step down to allow a new lawmaker from Lagos West to assume leadership of the House.
Confirming the withdrawal of her security aides, Meranda’s spokesperson, Ganzallo Victor, said: “We don’t know why the authorities have done that, but all the police officers and other security details attached to her have been withdrawn. She’s on her own at the moment.”
Meanwhile, a source close to the Obasa camp revealed that security aides attached to the former Speaker had been reinstated.
“They have restored all of Obasa’s security aides as of this morning,” the source disclosed.
