The Lagos State House of Assembly has directed all staff and legislative aides to work remotely from home indefinitely to prevent potential violence arising from the ongoing leadership crisis.
The directive, issued by Acting Clerk, Mr. Babatunde Abubakar in a memo addressed to all staff, was aimed at ensuring safety and preventing breakdown of order.
The memo, titled “Amendment to Remote Work Sche-dule Arrangement,” noted that the measure was necessary pending resolution of the leadership dispute.
“To this end, all categories of staff at the Assembly, LAHASCOM, and Legislative Aides are requested to work remotely from home until further notice,” it stated.
It further assured staff of commitment of the new Speaker, Lasbat Meranda, to their safety and a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
The Assembly has been engulfed in turmoil following the removal of ex-Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and ex-Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, by 32 lawmakers on January 13.
Obasa was replaced by his former deputy, Meranda, as the substantive Speaker.
Obasa has rejected his removal as unconstitutional and, on February 27, stormed the Assembly with security and resumed duty. His supporters have since laid siege to the Assembly, demanding his reinstatement.
In response, Obasa has filed a lawsuit against Meranda, the Lagos Assembly, and 36 lawmakers, challenging his removal. The Ikeja Court has set March 7, 2025, for the hearing of the case.
Despite the crisis, Lagos Head of Service, Bode Agoro, in a circular issued earlier, officially recognised the leadership change and urged staff to support the new Speaker and Acting Clerk.