Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, has refuted claims of her resignation, dismissing the rumors amid the ongoing leadership crisis in the Assembly.
Speculation surged on Monday following a forceful invasion of the Assembly complex by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police.
According to reports, security forces stormed the premises in the early hours, sealing the offices of Speaker Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk.
Speaking to Punch, the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, denounced the reports of her resignation as “a lie from the pit of hell.”
He however, reaffirmed that Meranda remains committed to her role despite mounting pressure.
The crisis, which began with the impeachment of former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, intensified when security personnel occupied the Assembly on Monday, further escalating tensions among lawmakers and staff.
Reacting to the situation, Ajiboye stated, “It is a lie from the pit of hell. If she had resigned, would she come back to sit at the plenary today?”
House pledges support for Meranda
Meanwhile, Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have reaffirmed their trust in Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda as the substantive Speaker by passing a vote of confidence in her leadership yesterday.
This resolution came amid speculation about Meranda’s possible resignation. During Monday’s plenary session, Oladipo Ajomale, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 2, moved a motion to affirm the Assembly’s confidence in her leadership.
Ajomale emphasized that Meranda’s election was conducted in line with the Nigerian Constitution and other relevant laws.
“We elected you as Speaker because we believe in you. We will demonstrate publicly that this decision was made by duly elected members of the House,” Ajomale stated.
He then called on lawmakers to affirm their vote of confidence in Meranda, urging them to stand and raise their hands, a request they unanimously complied with, as seen in a video of the session.
According to Hon. Adewale Temitope, member representing Ifako Ijaiye constituency 1 he said “Madam Speaker, the 36 members of this hallowed chamber of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu House of Assembly have spoken. A vote of confidence has been passed on your leadership”.