Lagos Assembly Crisis: GRV Slams APC Over ‘Show Of Shame’
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Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV) of the Labour Party (LP) has strongly criticized the recent turmoil within the Lagos State House of Assembly, calling it a disgraceful display by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the former LP governorship candidate accused the APC of normalizing intimidation and coercion in political affairs.
“What we witnessed today was an attempt to use force and armed men to pressure the speaker into stepping down. This is completely unacceptable,” Rhodes-Vivour stated.
Earlier that day, heavily armed security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) surrounded the legislative chambers, preventing Speaker Mojisola Meranda from entering for several hours. When she finally took her seat to preside over the session, she became visibly emotional as lawmakers expressed their confidence in her leadership.
The Lagos Assembly has been engulfed in a leadership struggle following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as speaker and the subsequent election of Meranda. While a majority of lawmakers—over 32 out of 40—have backed Meranda, Obasa has challenged his removal in court, insisting the process was illegitimate.
Rhodes-Vivour condemned the presence of armed security forces at the assembly and urged President Bola Tinubu, along with the APC’s influential Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos, to rein in Obasa.
“His political leaders, including those in the GAC and the president himself, must intervene. Lagos should not be dragged to new lows. There are lawful and civilized ways to resolve political disputes,” he asserted.
Describing the situation as an assault on the legislative institution, Rhodes-Vivour said those seeking to manipulate the House for personal gain should be ashamed.
“Armed security personnel storming the assembly is a disgrace to Lagos politics,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that despite the serious corruption allegations against the former speaker, we have yet to see any concrete action. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must investigate these claims and ensure accountability.”
