The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed rumours suggesting that 27 lawmakers are planning to defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Labour Party (LP).
In a statement, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Ogundipe Olukayode, described the reports as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard them.
“These events in no way suggest any intention by members to leave the party. We emphasise, without any ambiguity, that no member of the Assembly is contemplating defection,” Olukayode stated.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to the APC, stressing that the rumour was an attempt by “agents of destabilisation” to create unnecessary tension and division.
The defection speculation comes amid ongoing leadership turmoil in the Assembly. Earlier this week, armed personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the chamber, reportedly to block newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, from accessing the Assembly.
An emotional Meranda eventually presided over plenary, where lawmakers loyal to her passed a vote of confidence in her leadership.
The leadership crisis began after the controversial removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who has since challenged the process in court, claiming due process was not followed.
Despite the ongoing turmoil, the Assembly maintains that no external forces are influencing the crisis, insisting it remains focused on delivering its mandate to the people of Lagos State.
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