APC’s Fouad Oki Warns of Looming Legislative Crisis in Lagos
Fouad Oki, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised an alarm about the intensifying crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly, warning that if the ongoing leadership battle is not swiftly addressed, it could spiral into a “monstrous” crisis that would dwarf even the ongoing political unrest in Rivers State.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Oki expressed deep concern about the escalating situation, which has already seen armed security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services storm the Assembly. The officers reportedly blocked newly elected Speaker Mojisola Meranda from entering the chamber for hours, heightening the already volatile atmosphere. When Meranda was finally allowed to preside, she became visibly emotional as lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in her leadership.
“If you see what happened today, you will begin to look at Rivers State, the mayhem that is also consuming Osun State, you look at what is also happening in Kano, and put all of these together, it will be like a child’s play compared to what is unfolding in Lagos,” Oki warned, adding that the crisis could soon eclipse any legislative conflict seen in Nigeria’s recent history.
Lagos Assembly Leadership Battle Intensifies
The dispute over the removal of Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, has thrown the House into turmoil for weeks. Obasa has vehemently contested his removal, declaring it illegal and taking legal action to challenge the process.
Oki described the chaotic scenes in the Assembly on Monday as “a show of shame,” lamenting the negative impact on Nigeria’s democratic process. “Today is a sad day for me and indeed for all lovers of democracy in Nigeria,” Oki stated, highlighting the growing frustration among those who are witnessing the breakdown of democratic institutions in the state.
Oki Calls for Action, Vows to Defend Democracy
Oki, who has long been an advocate for democracy, declared that enough appeasement and compromising should no longer be tolerated. He stressed the importance of standing up for the democratic values that he and other political activists fought for, vowing to defend them at all costs.
“If there are those who do not have a sense of history, those who may either be benefactors of Hon Mudashiru Obasa or are supporting him to cause a breach of the peace in Lagos, we will again put our lives on the line to defend democracy,” Oki concluded, signaling that the APC would continue to fight for the integrity of the legislative process in the state.
As tensions continue to mount in the Lagos Assembly, the question remains whether the leadership crisis will subside or escalate further, threatening to destabilize the state’s political landscape.
