By Dansu Peter Tension gripped the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday after the Acting Clerk, Mr. Ottun Babatunde, was rushed to a ho...
By Dansu Peter
Babatunde, who had been appointed by former Speaker Mojisola Meranda—now the Deputy Speaker—reportedly suffered dizziness after honoring an invitation from the DSS over allegations of incitement leveled against him by the suspended Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko.
According to Vanguard, sources within the Assembly described the situation as chaotic, as staff members were thrown into panic upon learning that Babatunde had taken ill following his interrogation at the DSS office in Shangisha.
Vanguard reports that a source within the Assembly, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that Babatunde was invited to the DSS alongside a senior staff member, Mr. Seyi, to respond to a petition by Onafeko. The embattled former clerk accused Babatunde of inciting staff members against him while allegedly attempting to reclaim his office, despite an order from the National Industrial Court maintaining the status quo in the ongoing leadership tussle.
“After his initial visit to the DSS, he was released and asked to return the next day. He went back today with his lawyer, a Senior Advocate. But not long after, we heard he had been rushed to the hospital after complaining of dizziness,” the source said.
The incident further deepened the existing tensions within the Assembly, with staff members expressing concerns over the crisis, which has slowed down legislative and administrative activities.
Amid the turmoil, the Lagos Assembly has seen a significant decline in operations, with Onafeko allegedly instructing banks to halt the disbursement of funds.
“Legislative work has been paralyzed because Onafeko, who forcefully returned to office, directed banks to stop payments of running costs and other expenses. The Assembly is in a state of limbo,” the source lamented.
The crisis dates back to February 26, when Onafeko attempted to resume duty at the Assembly complex, only to be turned back by officials. He had arrived with his lawyer, security personnel, and DSS operatives in an effort to reclaim his seat, but was met with resistance from staff who jeered at him and prevented his entry.
A viral video from the incident showed Assembly workers booing Onafeko as he was escorted out of the premises, underscoring the deep divisions within the legislative body.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Chief Security Officer of the Assembly, Kushoro Idowu, issued a strongly worded statement condemning Onafeko’s actions, labeling them as an affront to legislative order.
“It is on record that he came in with unknown men and blocked the Assembly staff gate with his car. He then proceeded to the Clerk’s office with the intent to break in,” the statement read.
The Assembly leadership emphasized that the matter remains in court and warned that any further attempts to disrupt the legislative process would not be tolerated.
As the leadership battle rages on, the health scare involving Babatunde has added a new layer of urgency to resolving the crisis, with Assembly staff and lawmakers on edge over what could unfold next.
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