Obasa reinstated as Lagos House of Assembly Speaker following Meranda’s 49-day tenure
The political landscape of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday underwent further changes, culminating in the reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker after a brief tenure by Mojisola Meranda.
This transition is marked by a series of events that unfolded over a span of 49 days, during which the assembly experienced considerable turmoil and conflict.
On January 13, 2025, Mudashiru Obasa was removed from his position as Speaker by a majority of lawmakers—specifically, over 30 members—while he was abroad.
The reasons cited for his removal included allegations of high-handedness, poor leadership, and financial misappropriation. His absence during this critical vote raised questions about the legality of the proceedings, with Obasa asserting that his removal was unconstitutional since it occurred while the assembly was on recess.
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In the wake of Obasa’s removal, Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new Speaker. Her election marked a historic moment as she became the first female Speaker in the history of the Lagos State House of Assembly. However, her tenure was short-lived due to ongoing disputes and dissatisfaction among lawmakers regarding her leadership.
To address the escalating crisis within the assembly, President Bola Tinubu intervened by appointing a mediation panel led by prominent figures such as Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba. This panel aimed to facilitate dialogue among lawmakers and restore stability to the assembly.
After extensive discussions involving party leaders and lawmakers, it became evident that a resolution would require significant sacrifices from both Obasa and Meranda.
On Monday March 3, 2025, during a plenary session where tensions were palpable, Meranda announced her resignation from her position as Speaker.
In her resignation speech, she emphasized that her decision was made in the interest of democracy and aimed at preventing further crises within the assembly. She acknowledged her role in entrenching good governance and expressed gratitude for the support she received during her brief tenure.
Following Meranda’s resignation, Mudashiru Obasa was re-elected as Speaker by his colleagues. His reinstatement is viewed as one of the most remarkable political comebacks in Lagos’ political history.
During his swearing-in ceremony, Obasa expressed gratitude towards party leaders for their support and reiterated his commitment to serving the interests of Lagos residents.
He emphasized that this event demonstrated the assembly’s capability to resolve internal conflicts effectively while maintaining integrity. The assembly subsequently adjourned indefinitely following these developments.
