The Lagos State House of Assembly has denied the rumoured defection of 27 of its members from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Labour Party (LP).
In a statement on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Ogundipe Olukayode, said reports insinuating the defection of members of the Assembly are “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public”.
The Assembly also said the rumoured defection was aimed to “sow discord and confusion within the Assembly and among the good people of Lagos State”.
Earlier on Monday, armed security officers drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services were at the hallowed chamber, allegedly preventing the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, from gaining entrance till hours later. When she finally presided over plenary, she became tearful and emotional as lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in her.
The state legislature has been embroiled in a leadership tussle for weeks following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as the speaker of the Assembly and the election of Meranda.
While over 36 pro-Meranda lawmakers in the 40-member Assembly pledged loyalty to the first female speaker, Obasa has insisted that his removal was illegal and has gone to court to challenge the process.
The Assembly said the leadership tussle in the House is purely internal matters. “These events in no way suggest any intention by members to leave the party. We emphasise, without any ambiguity, that no member of the Assembly is contemplating defection,” the Assembly said.
“We were elected under the Leadership of the ruling party. The ruling party remains united and focused on delivering its mandate to the people of Lagos State. The falsehood being spread originates from agents of destabilisation who seek to create unnecessary tension and division within the Assembly.”
