The Lagos State House of Assembly has said that the speculation that 27 members are about to defect from the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) to the Labour Party (LP) is not true.
In a statement on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the House, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, said the claim ‘is entirely false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public’.
The House has 40 members with the APC having 39. Only Hon. Foluke Osafile (Amuwo-Odofin I) is of the LP.
The Assembly has been enmeshed in leadership crisis since Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (Agege I) was removed as Speaker last month, and Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda elected to replace him.
Ogundipe’s statement further read: ‘We find this report not only offensive but also riddled with inaccuracies and outright falsehoods that serves no purpose other than to sow discord and confusion within the Assembly and among the good people of Lagos State.
‘The recent developments in the House, including the removal of the erstwhile Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and the election of Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the new Speaker, are purely internal matters. These actions were carried out in accordance with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as Ammended.
‘These events in no way suggest any intention by members to leave the party. We emphasize, without any ambiguity, that no member of the Assembly is contemplating defection.
‘We were elected under the Leadership of the Ruling Party, The ruling party remains united and focused on delivering its mandate to the people of Lagos State. The falsehood being spread originates from agents of destabilization who seek to create unnecessary tension and division within the Assembly.
‘To our party leaders and supporters across the state, we assure you that all members remain committed to the party.
‘Furthermore, we reaffirm that any internal disagreements within the House will be resolved amicably through peaceful and democratic mechanisms. There is no crisis that warrants any member considering defection.
‘We also call on all media partners to uphold the ethics of journalism by verifying facts before publication and refraining from spreading unverified reports that could mislead the public’.
