After hours of stand-off between workers at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex and security officials who manned roads leading to the House, the Speaker of the House, Mojisola Meranda, finally gained access to her office and presided over plenary on Monday.
Assembly workers and lawmakers heavily guarded the speaker as she entered the hallowed chamber. She eventually presided over plenary after the drama between security operatives, including policemen and officials of the Department of State Services, tried to gain access to the Assembly chambers but were resisted by some lawmakers and workers in the Assembly.
There was palpable tension in the hallowed chamber as lawmakers chanted solidarity with Meranda, insisting that they wanted her to remain the House speaker.
Thirty-two pro-Meranda lawmakers in the 40-member house, who passed a vote of confidence in the new speaker, said plots to make the new speaker resign her office for the former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa won’t stand.
Meranda became emotional as the lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in her on Monday.
While the face-off lasted, the assembly premises were militarised, with dozens of security officials and their operational vans stationed there.
