After two lawmakers were arrested and detained by members of the Department of State Security (DSS), the crisis roiling the Lagos State House of Assembly took on a new dimension.

Police were questioning two politicians from Lagos, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu, in relation to the crisis that resulted in the dismissal of Mudashiru Obasa, the former speaker of the State House of Assembly.

Lagos Assembly Crisis: GAC Members Divided Over Obasa’s Impeachment

This came as assembly members reaffirmed that despite Obasa’s efforts to make his way back to the legislature’s leadership, he remained detached.

Since January 13, when Obasa was gone in the United States, a majority of members of the Lagos Assembly dismissed him and installed former Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda in his place, the assembly has been in the headlines.

According to a statement by Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, members of the Assembly who accepted an invitation from the Lagos Command of the DSS in Shaginsha stated they went to the DSS to offer their perspectives on the circumstances behind the previous speaker’s dismissal.

“After the former Speaker was removed, we at the DSS office reiterated our commitment to maintaining constitutional governance.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and the Powers and Privileges Act, which give the State Assembly the authority to control its internal affairs free from outside intervention, were followed in making the judgment.

Due process was followed in our conclusion, as outlined in Sections 92 and 96, which deal with the election and removal of the speaker. The public is also aware that State Assemblies were given legislative autonomy, guaranteeing elected officials the freedom to act in the chambers to which they have been allocated.

As a separate branch of government, the Lagos State House of Assembly has carried out its constitutional mandate in the best interests of the Lagos populace.

“A democratic process with the necessary majority as required by law was used to decide to remove the former Speaker. The power that the Nigerian Constitution gives us is undermined by any attempt to contest this legal action.

“We appreciate the DSS office’s professionalism in sending us their cordial invitation. We are grateful to the Lagos DSS Command, particularly the Director, for making sure the interaction went smoothly and with courtesy. We were able to provide a concise account of what happened in a relaxed yet formal setting because to the procedure.

“Every Assembly member who was previously held is now free.

“We reaffirm our dedication to carrying out legislative responsibilities that benefit Lagosians, guaranteeing efficient administration and the state’s continuous growth. We urge everyone involved, including the public and the executive branch, to respect the integrity of legislative processes and abstain from excessive meddling.

A group called Lagosians and Concerned Citizens (LCC) has condemned the events and called attention to the lawmakers’ detention in a statement titled “The Strangulation of Democracy By Evil Forces: A Call to Protect Lagos Legislature,” which was signed by Omoba Murphy Ajibola.

Hon. Temitope Adewale (Jah) has also been called, while Hon. Lanre Affinih, who was also invited for questioning, was later released due to health concerns.

The organization said that these acts seemed to be a part of a larger plan to exert pressure on the Assembly to reverse Obasa’s dismissal.

They said that influential people were planning these arrests to sway legislative choices, and they cautioned that this kind of meddling jeopardizes both the legislative branch’s independence and the democratic process as a whole.

“This coordinated campaign against elected officials is an attack on democracy, not simply on specific MPs.

“The Legislature represents the people and serves as a check on executive power.” “Democracy is at risk when lawmakers are intimidated or arrested under dubious circumstances,” the group said.

The group also cautioned that such alleged power play may create a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy if Lagos, the country’s political and economic hub, fell victim to it.