Obasa: If you see what happened today, you will begin to look at Rivers Statea - Fouad Oki
A heated confrontation unfolded at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday as lawmakers and staff forcefully resisted an unexpected intervention by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The security operatives had reportedly locked down the chamber for several hours, sparking outrage among Assembly members and workers. In response, staff members broke open the doors while chanting solidarity songs, creating a tense standoff that highlighted concerns over external interference in legislative matters.
According to The Vanguard, the dramatic scene played out around 12:25 p.m. when staff and lawmakers stormed the chamber, demanding unrestricted access. The situation remained chaotic as lawmakers struggled to take their seats, but by 12:45 p.m., a quorum was confirmed, and the plenary session proceeded despite the earlier disruption.
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from political figures, including Fouad Oki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. During an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today, Oki expressed his deep concern over the turn of events, warning that such incidents pose a serious threat to democracy. He emphasized that history has shown the dangers of political instability and urged party members to take caution.
"I recall what Adolf Hitler said in 1944, precisely end of November and he said, 'This is the beginning of the end and there won't be any end until the end of the beginning.' I want to say very clearly that if those that do not have the sense of history, of those that may rather be the benefactor or benefactors of Hon Mudashiru Obasa or supporting him to cause a breach of the peace in Lagos; we will again put lives on the line to defend our democracy," Oki stated.
Further commenting on the situation, he pointed out similarities between the unrest in Lagos and the political crises affecting other states.
"I think we have had enough; enough of begging, enough of appeasement. If you see what happened today, you will begin to look at Rivers State; unfortunately, the mayhem that is also consuming Osun State. Seun, if you put all of this together, it would be like a moi-moi party in Lagos," he remarked.
The incident has raised questions about the growing tensions within Lagos politics and the role of security agencies in legislative affairs. Many observers argue that the standoff is a sign of deeper political rifts that could escalate if left unaddressed. As reactions continue to pour in, stakeholders are calling for an urgent review of security protocols around legislative institutions to prevent future disruptions and ensure the independence of the state legislature.
