metro
Obasa in fresh plot to return as speaker of Lagos Assembly

Obasa in fresh plot to return as speaker of Lagos Assembly
An indication that peace has not returned to the Lagos State House of Assembly emerged at the close of work last week when workers in the legislative house were told by the authority to stay away from the office this week and work from home until further notice.
There are reports about fresh moves to return Mr Mudashiru Obasa to his former position, Speaker of the Assembly.
The House has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis following the removal of Obasa by 32 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, and Mrs Mojisola Meranda was elected as the substantive speaker.
A report by the Vanguard on Monday quoted Presidency sources as saying overtures had been made to the lawmakers to soft-pedal and support the embattled former Speaker.
It reported that members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) were also asked to rein in the anti-Obasa lawmakers.
This followed the disbandment of the Bisi Akande committee over its findings on the matter.
The committee was disbanded owing to the report it submitted after its visit that the odds were against Obasa.
The President had set up a high-powered committee of the party led by Bisi Akande and members including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Pius Akinyelure and others to resolve the crisis.
It further gathered that after the disbandment of the Akande committee, members of GAC were asked to rein in their loyalists in the Assembly and executive to back Obasa.
READ ALSO:
- Fubara obeys S’Court, moves to conduct fresh LG poll in Rivers
- Senate can’t probe Natasha’s allegations against Akpabio — Senate President’s aide
- Kebbi Gov aide suspended for bringing snake to Govt House
The source said: “The Bisi Akande committee has been disbanded. The president has reached out to members of GAC who have loyalists or children in the Assembly to insist they work for Obasa’s return as Speaker.
“Obasa, on the other hand, has also been reaching out to lawmaker opposed to him in an attempt to gain their support.”
It was also learnt that the Presidency and party leaders were looking at the option of allowing the court to resolve the crisis.
Sources in the presidency said: “The President is insisting Obasa must return but the Assembly members are also throwing their weight behind Meranda. The two camps do not want to shift grounds. As it is, the court will decide who the Speaker is and you know how judicial process works, it will move from the High Court to Appeal Court and from there, to the Supreme Court; the court will decide.”
The embattled former Speaker had dragged Meranda, the Assembly and 36 lawmakers to court challenging his ‘unlawful’ removal.
Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, last Friday, adjourned the hearing of all pending applications in the lawsuit filed by Obasa, to March 7.
READ ALSO:
- Electricity: NLC threatens mass protest over forceful migration to Band A
- Obasanjo hosts Jonathan, Atiku, Ooni, Saraki to dinner in Lagos
- Fulham beat FA Cup holders Man United on penalties
In a memo, titled ‘Amendment to Remote Work Schedule Arrangement’, addressed to staff and legislative aides, the Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Babatunde Abubakar, said the move was to “guarantee safety and forestall any unwarranted consequences.”
Abubakar said: “I write to convey the approval of the leadership of the House to effect the following changes in the work-from-home arrangement pending the resolution of the current leadership crisis to guarantee safety and forestall any unwarranted consequences.
“To this end, all categories of staff at the Assembly, LAHASCOM and Legislative Aides are requested to work remotely from home until further notice.
“Please note that this arrangement is in tandem with the Head of Service, HOS circular 005 issued on January 15, 2025, affirming the leadership change in the House and the appointment of Mr A.T.B. Ottun as Acting Clerk.
“Note that this measure has become necessary for safety purposes and officers are enjoined to leave open communication lines as they can be called upon for any assignment whenever the need arises.
“Be assured that Princess Mojisola Meranda is committed to your safety and peaceful resolution of the crisis.”
The staff of the Lagos State Assembly had engaged men of the Department of State Services, DSS, when the latter stormed the Assembly complex, sealing offices and preventing lawmakers from holding the plenary session.
Obasa in fresh plot to return as speaker of Lagos Assembly
metro
Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has clarified that a sexual assault case involving Ebunoluwa Fatoyinbo is not connected to the family of President Bola Tinubu.
This clarification comes after widespread social media reports claimed Fatoyinbo is the sister of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son. According to the reports, Oscar Ilochi allegedly assaulted Fatoyinbo while she was exercising alone in a gym basement, prompting an investigation that includes reviewing the facility’s CCTV footage.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, confirmed that the command has launched an investigation based on a formal complaint filed by Fatoyinbo. However, she emphasised that the police have not established any familial link between Fatoyinbo and the Tinubu family.
READ ALSO:
- Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
- P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
- Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
“The FCT Police Command is aware of a circulating publication on social media alleging that the Command has commenced an investigation into a case of sexual assault involving Miss Ebunoluwa, purportedly referred to as the sister of Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement read.
“The Command wishes to clarify that a formal complaint of sexual assault was indeed lodged by Miss Ebunoluwa Mitchell Fatoyinbo against one Oscar Ilochi, a resident of the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.”
Adeh urged the public, including media outlets and social media users, to verify information before publication and rely on official police channels for updates on ongoing investigations.
Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister
metro
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has reversed his controversial directive ordering the arrest of individuals with dreadlocks, following widespread backlash from the public and civil rights advocates.
Bago had earlier instructed security agencies to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks across the state, linking the hairstyle to rising cult-related activities and insecurity, particularly in Minna, the state capital.
“Rascality in Minna: anybody that you find with a dreadlock, arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment, it’s fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” Bago had declared during a public address.
In addition to the dreadlocks directive, Bago also announced a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations from 6pm to 6am, as part of efforts to end violent crimes.
He also threatened to demolish any house found to be housing criminals or drug dealers, emphasising that his administration will “apply maximum force to restore order.”
READ ALSO:
- P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
- Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
- Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
The governor’s early statements, notably the one targeting people with dreadlocks, provoked widespread condemnation on social media and from members of the public, who accused him of encouraging discrimination and lacking a thorough understanding of effective crime-fighting techniques.
In response to the anger, Bago reaffirmed his position on Wednesday at a ceremony in Minna, declaring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks.
So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.
The state governor went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.
He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”
Bago insisted that law-abiding residents are not at risk, claiming that the crackdown is primarily directed at criminal elements who utilize “cult” insignia, such as dreadlocks, to conceal their operations and elude law enforcement.
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
metro
Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos

Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
A 16-year-old kid named Mustapha was killed by a stray bullet during a suspected cult clash in the Oyingbo area of Ebute Metta, Lagos State, on Monday.
Chronicle NG gathered that the incident happened during a peace walk sponsored by several young people to address escalating cult-related violence in the town.
It was reported that the walk had hardly ended when an argument erupted between them.
A resident, who talked to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, claimed the fight escalated when a suspected cultist pulled out a pistol and shot indiscriminately, injuring Mustapha with a stray bullet.
READ ALSO:
- Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
- 2027: Atiku remains the best to face Tinubu, says Dele Momodu
- NLC to IMF: Your reforms inflict hunger, poverty on masses
Another resident told reporters that the teenager was not affiliated with any cult group.
“Mustapha just came out to support the walk. He was not part of any gang. He is a calm and respectful boy. He was taken to the hospital after the bullet hit him, but he died on the way,” the source said.
The incident was said to have caused chaos in the community, while the event ended abruptly.
Meanwhile, our correspondent reported that one of the organisers, who was struck by a gunshot, is in critical condition.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin had yet to comment on the incident at the time of filing this report.
Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
-
metro2 days ago
Rivers: Tinubu meets with Fubara, may lift his suspension
-
metro3 days ago
Bring your children to compete with mine, MC Oluomo challenges those mocking his spoken English
-
metro2 days ago
I’m not in supremacy battle with Ooni, says new Alaafin
-
Business3 days ago
Marketers count losses as NNPC slashes petrol price
-
metro3 days ago
Rivers: Fubara’s supporters praise Tinubu’s intervention with emergency rule
-
metro2 days ago
Bandits attack Kwara North, kill vigilante, six others
-
Business2 days ago
Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf
-
Entertainment21 hours ago
P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention