The Lagos State House of Assembly has reiterated its decision to remove Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, clarifying that the Department of State Services (DSS) was invited to provide security, contrary to reports that its operatives forcefully took over the Assembly complex.

Fresh details emerged on Monday indicating that the Acting Clerk of the Assembly had formally notified the State Security Service (SSS) about the likelihood of unrest and requested enhanced security measures to maintain order within the legislative premises.

This development was outlined in a letter dated February 14, 2025, which was made available to newsmen.

The letter revealed that the Assembly management had credible intelligence suggesting attempts to forcibly reinstate the impeached Speaker, Hon. Obasa, on February 18, 2025.

According to the letter, such an action posed “a potential security threat” to the Assembly and its members.

Signed by the Acting Clerk, Mr. A. T. B. Ottun, the letter—bearing reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323—was addressed to the DSS Director in Lagos State, alongside the heads of other security agencies.

In the letter, titled “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” Ottun wrote:

“I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.”

He further highlighted that the impeached Speaker, Hon. Obasa, was planning to return to office on February 18, 2025, as Speaker, which could escalate tensions within the Assembly.

“In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday, February 16, 2025, by increasing the presence of your men and also observing strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises until further notice,” the Clerk stated.

He concluded by urging swift action from the security agencies, adding:

“We look forward to your prompt attention, Sir. Thank you.”

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has described the wave of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strong validation of President Bola Tinubu’s performance in office.

Speaking in Enugu at a gathering where new members from the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were welcomed into the APC, Nnaji urged the people of the South East to rally behind the ruling party.

He emphasized that aligning with the APC would position the region for greater political and economic benefits.

According to Nnaji, the APC is laying the groundwork to challenge the PDP-led government in Enugu State in the 2027 elections.

Among the latest defectors are prominent political figures, including Chief Basil Ani, a former PDP stalwart from Ukana, Udi Local Government Area; Chief Emeka Abah, previously with the LP in Udenu LGA; and Tony Chigbo, a former PDP leader in Uzo-Uwani LGA, along with their supporters.

Nnaji took a swipe at the current Enugu State administration, accusing it of burdening residents with excessive taxation.

“We are bringing up an alternative government, a government that is based on the people of Enugu State, a government that will come and listen to the cry of the people. We’re appealing to our people to keep joining the APC, that’s the party at the national level,” he stated.

Highlighting the benefits of APC-led governance, he added:

“You can see the number of jobs we have provided, both employment and appointments. It has never been this good in the South East and Enugu State in particular.”

APC’s Enugu State chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, echoed Nnaji’s sentiments, asserting that the party was now more formidable than ever.

He argued that Enugu had lagged behind its neighboring states due to prolonged PDP dominance.

“States like Anambra and Ebonyi have overtaken Enugu, why is it so? It’s so because a cabal has held us captive for 26 years of democracy, and we are here to take power from them. Every state in the eastern region has had the benefit of experiencing another party in power. Enugu is the only state where one party has been in power for 26 years, and we say no to that. There must be change in Enugu State,” Agballah declared.

One of the defectors, Chief Ani, emphasized that joining APC was more than just a political move but a commitment to change.

“Joining APC is not just about agreeing with the policies of signing a membership card, it’s about making a personal commitment, about putting our values into action, and about working together not just as party members but as fellow citizens to create the society of our dreams, which we know is possible,” he said.

Ani and other new entrants pledged to mobilize resources to strengthen the APC in their respective local government areas, promising full support for the party’s victory in 2027.

This development follows a recent event where Minister Nnaji, Agballah, and Chief Emma Eneukwu, APC’s Deputy National Chairman (South), presented Labour Party House of Representatives members from Enugu State to the APC leadership in anticipation of their formal defection.

Among those expected to switch allegiance to APC are Sunday Umeha, representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency; Chima Atu, representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency; and Chidi Obetta, representing Nsukka/Igboeze-South Federal Constituency.

Others introduced to the APC’s national leadership include Oguerinwa Amadi, the Labour Party’s Enugu West Senatorial candidate, and Emeka Mamah, a former Commissioner in Enugu State.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the APC appears determined to expand its influence in Enugu, capitalizing on high-profile defections and growing discontent with the current administration.

Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will prosecute the recently impeached local government chairmen implicated in the alleged misappropriation of over N95 billion in public funds.

He revealed that the officials were named in the findings of an Administrative Panel of Enquiry, which was mandated to investigate financial activities in local government councils between September 4, 2023, and November 2024.

Speaking in Benin after receiving the panel’s report, Governor Okpebholo pledged to formally petition the EFCC to take immediate action.

He stressed that, beyond the indicted local government chairmen, former Governor Godwin Obaseki and leaders of a faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were also implicated.

He added, “Those responsible will be held accountable.”

However, Obaseki dismissed the allegations, describing them as a politically motivated attempt by Okpebholo to justify what he termed an unconstitutional move against duly elected council chairmen.

Speaking through his aide, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki said, “Okpebholo has no legal authority to supervise local government operations or initiate investigations against elected officials.”

He called on the people of Edo State and Nigerians at large to disregard what he described as falsehoods propagated by Okpebholo’s administration, asserting, “My tenure was the most transparent in the state’s history.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, following his remarks about politicians defecting to the party.

Over the weekend, Tambuwal, who represents Sokoto South in the Senate, claimed that those leaving opposition parties for the APC were doing so purely for “stomach infrastructure” reasons.

His party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been hit by a wave of defections to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to Tambuwal’s comments, APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, dismissed him as a “notorious and vainglorious party defector.”

The APC further stated, “Evidently, his comments more aptly characterised his own convoluted record of defections from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in 2007 and back to ANPP and then off to the PDP, and decamping in 2014 to APC and finally crawling back to PDP, ignominiously, in 2018.”

The party accused Tambuwal of being driven by personal gains rather than principles, stating, “By his assertions, Tambuwal’s itinerant defections were in chase of ‘stomach infrastructure,’ purely self-serving and without any conscience. A wandering politician like Tambuwal lacks the moral turpitude to comment on the intentions of politicians who have defected from a crisis-ridden PDP to our great Party.”

Defending the recent wave of defections, the APC argued that many PDP members were joining the ruling party because of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying, “Contrary to Tambuwal’s jibe, members of the PDP are joining APC, ostensibly, to identify with President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic reform agenda in the face of growing and undeniable positive indications of a resurgent Nigeria. Many of the defectors have offered this as the raison d’etre for their defection, quite apart from the fact that the PDP is in a state of bedlam, and is now an unrecognizable shadow of its old self.”

President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu described El-Rufai as a remarkable administrator, scholar, and politician.

“He is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and highly regarded for his resourcefulness and brilliance,” the President said.

El-Rufai served as the governor of Kaduna State for eight years, and before assuming elective office, he held prominent positions, including Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007.

President Tinubu lauded El-Rufai for his contributions to democracy, his service to the nation, and his mentorship of younger leaders.

“President Tinubu celebrates Mallam El-Rufai on this occasion and commends his endeavours for democracy; his meritorious service to the nation, and mentorship of the younger generation,” the statement read.

Tinubu also acknowledged El-Rufai’s pivotal role in the negotiations that led to the formation of the APC, as well as his instrumental contributions to the party’s success in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections.

“The President acknowledges Mallam El-Rufai’s role in the dialogues leading up to the formation of the APC and his contributions to the success of the party in the three consecutive elections of 2015, 2019, and 2023.”

Onanuga added that President Tinubu wished El-Rufai continued good health and strength to serve the nation further.

El-Rufai, who was once nominated to serve in Tinubu’s administration, has since been critical of the APC government and its policies.

Despite being a nominated minister, he was not cleared during the screening process.