The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed rumors claiming that 27 of its members are planning to defect from the ruling party to the opposition Labour Party (LP), calling the reports “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hon. (Otunba) Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, described the allegations as offensive and filled with inaccuracies.
“We find this report not only offensive but also riddled with inaccuracies and outright falsehoods that serve no purpose other than to sow discord and confusion within the Assembly and among the good people of Lagos State,” Ogundipe said.
He emphasized that the recent leadership change within the Assembly, which saw the removal of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and the election of Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as his replacement, was purely an internal matter. “These events in no way suggest any intention by members to leave the party,” he clarified.
Ogundipe further assured party leaders and supporters that the ruling party remains united and committed to fulfilling its mandate, condemning the spread of “falsehoods” aimed at destabilizing the Assembly.
The Chairman called on the media to verify information before publication, stressing the importance of upholding journalistic ethics to prevent the spread of misleading reports. He also reaffirmed that any internal disagreements would be resolved democratically, with no crisis prompting a defection.