Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have condemned the invasion of their complex by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, calling it a “step towards anarchy” and an “abuse of legislative procedure.” The armed security operatives forcibly entered the Assembly premises on Monday morning, taking control of the complex.
During a plenary session in the afternoon, following the arrival of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, the lawmakers expressed their outrage and called for an urgent investigation into the matter. They requested the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to look into the incident and disclose the findings to the public. The lawmakers also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene promptly to prevent any further escalation.
“This is not a government ruled by the barrel of a gun. This is an aberration of democracy and a step toward anarchy,” said Abiodun Tobun, a member representing Epe constituency. Tobun further described the invasion as a “total embarrassment” and “an act of harassment” that undermines the integrity of the legislative process.
The invasion has left the lawmakers deeply concerned about the future of democratic governance in Lagos State. With 36 members in attendance, the Assembly unanimously condemned the actions, stressing that the incident is a direct threat to the state’s democratic institutions.
As of now, both the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force have not responded to the Assembly’s condemnation, leaving questions unanswered regarding the motives behind the intrusion into the legislative body.
The Lagos State Assembly’s strong stance highlights the growing tension in the state’s political climate and raises alarm about the possible erosion of democratic norms in the face of such security interventions.