CSOs Back Lagos Speaker, Caution DSS Against Interfering In Crisis

Some civil society organisations (CSOs), which focused on promoting women’s rights in governance on Wednesday, expressed their support for the newly elected Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda.

The non-governmental organisations also denounced the alleged harassment and denial of access to lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), labelling it a “gross violation of the rights of the lawmakers and an unacceptable interference in the democratic process.”

The group stated this at a press conference in Lagos, which Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, co-convener of Womanifesto, addressed.

They said the controversy surrounding Speaker Meranda’s election following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa was unnecessary.

The CSOs maintained that the election process complied with Sections 92 and 96 of the 1999 Constitution, which outline the procedures for the removal and election of a Speaker.

Akiyode-Afolabi, “We fully support the constitutional procedures followed by the majority of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who voted in favour of these decisions,” the group stated.

They characterised Speaker Meranda’s election as a “monumental achievement” and a significant advancement toward gender equity in Nigerian politics.

The CSOs emphasised the necessity of upholding the rule of law in all legislative actions, including impeachment and electoral processes. They condemned attempts to undermine due process as an “affront to the principles of justice and democracy.”