Lagos Assembly crisis deepens as Obasa-Meranda’s Speakership feud divides members
...Meranda resigned as Speaker during peace meeting — Obasa
...Embattled Fmr Speaker presides over plenary with four lawmakers
...Several Lawmakers reject Obasa, declare support for Meranda
...As Labour Party confirms talks with 36 lagos lawmakers, demands state of emergency
By Sodiq Adelakun
The ongoing speakership tussle in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a dramatic turn as the power struggle between ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his successor, Mojisola Meranda, continues to divide the legislative body.
NewsDirect reports that Obasa’s unexpected return to the Assembly complex yesterday, accompanied by a heavy security presence, has further escalated tensions within the already fractured House.
Recall that Obasa, who was removed as Speaker on January 13, 2025, following allegations of misconduct and a vote by more than two-thirds of the House members, was greeted by a crowd of supporters outside the complex.
The 40-member House has since been thrown into disarray, with a fierce battle between Obasa’s loyalists and Meranda’s supporters over who holds legitimate power.
The controversy began when Obasa was ousted after a decade-long reign, paving the way for Meranda, his deputy, to assume the position of Speaker.
The Former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, asserts that Mojisola Meranda stepped down during a peace initiative attended by key party leaders.
In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening, Obasa revealed that the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, resigned from her position during a peace meeting held at the Lagos House in Marina over the weekend.
Obasa claimed that Meranda’s resignation was clearly communicated during the gathering, which was attended by party leaders and legislators.
He stated, “At the meeting held in Marina, which saw the attendance of all party leaders, it was made clear, with hopes that all members were present, that Meranda herself declared her resignation. She made it known that she has stepped down.”
Obasa said that he remains the Speaker, despite the ongoing leadership crisis.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday after returning to the Assembly complex with security personnel, Obasa said, “I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly.”
When asked if he had been reinstated, he denied the claim, stating, “I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”
Recall on January 25, 2025, Obasa held a press conference where he reaffirmed his position, declaring that the removal was invalid due to the lack of due process.
Despite his objections, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda have consistently backed her leadership, passing a vote of confidence in her on February 17, 2025, and maintaining that her election as Speaker is final.
…Embattled Fmr Speaker presides over plenary with four lawmakers
Obasa’s return to the Assembly complex has only deepened the divide within the legislature, with many fearing that his presence could brew further unrest.
He presided over a plenary session attended by just four lawmakers.
The session was marred by chaos, as security operatives allegedly forced open the chamber doors to allow Obasa and his supporters access.
Despite the session’s low turnout, more than 26 lawmakers boycotted the proceedings, showing their continued support for the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, who was voted in after Obasa’s removal in January.
These lawmakers gathered outside the Assembly’s garden to reaffirm their commitment to Meranda, making it clear that they would not recognise Obasa’s leadership.
A source within the Assembly, speaking anonymously, condemned Obasa’s return, stating, “He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. For nearly a decade, we endured his authoritarian style of leadership. Enough is enough, and we are not backing down.”
The situation at the Assembly was further inflamed as Obasa’s supporters, reportedly assisted by armed men and suspected political thugs, broke into the Speaker’s office and occupied key areas of the complex.
Adding fuel to the fire, Meranda’s aide, Victor Ganzallo, has raised concerns over the withdrawal of all police escorts assigned to the Speaker.
In a statement, Ganzallo questioned the timing of the security withdrawal, noting that it coincided with the heightened tension surrounding the Obasa-Meranda conflict.
He accused the police of withdrawing protection without explanation, calling the move politically motivated and potentially dangerous for Meranda and other Assembly members.
…Police restore Meranda’s security detail
Responding, yesterday evening, the Lagos State Police Command reinstated the security details for the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, after a temporary withdrawal of her escorts earlier this morning.
Speaking at a press briefing, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, clarified the reasoning behind the action. Jimoh explained that the withdrawal of security details was part of a nationwide police audit currently being conducted across various states, not just in Lagos.
He emphasised that the decision was in no way politically motivated and was aimed at ensuring better management of police personnel and firearms.
“Following an ongoing nationwide audit of police personnel and firearms, security details for VIPs, including the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, were temporarily adjusted. This is a standard procedure being carried out across the country,” Jimoh stated.
The police chief further reassured the public that Meranda’s security would be restored, confirming that four police personnel had been reinstated to her security detail.
Meranda’s supporters, on the other hand, have vehemently reaffirmed her legitimacy as the Speaker, and the assembly members remain divided along factional lines.
...Lawmakers reject Obasa, declare support for Meranda
In the same vein, several lawmakers have rejected Mudashiru Obasa’s claim to the speakership and reaffirmed their support for the current speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
The 36 lawmakers, speaking at the assembly complex on Thursday, expressed their unwavering commitment to Meranda’s leadership, while accusing Obasa of attempting to destabilise the parliament.
Speaking exclusively to journalists, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security, and Strategy, Steven Ogundipe, emphasised that the lawmakers were resolute in ensuring that Obasa’s removal stood.
“We were approached by our leaders to remain calm, but this ongoing charade cannot be allowed to continue,” Ogundipe stated.
“We have our mandates from our constituencies, and we expect our leadership to be respected. The APC leadership must intervene in this matter to restore order.”
Ogundipe further said the frustration is felt by lawmakers, stressing that they had maintained a law-abiding stance throughout the crisis.
…Labour Party confirms talks with 36 lagos lawmakers, demands state of emergency
Also, the Labour Party has confirmed ongoing talks with 36 lawmakers who are reportedly considering defecting from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in light of the forced return of the ousted Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
Sources close to the Assembly confirm that these lawmakers, who have publicly reaffirmed their loyalty to Speaker Mojisola Meranda, are disillusioned by the forceful re-entry of Obasa into the Assembly complex, a move allegedly supported by thugs and armed security personnel.
In an interview, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, revealed that one of the lawmakers, speaking under condition of anonymity, had reached out to express deep concerns over Obasa’s actions.
According to Arabambi, the lawmaker was “shocked” that Obasa, who has an ongoing court case scheduled for February 28, “took the law into his own hands and stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly with thugs and a detachment of police officers.”
Arabambi went on to question why APC leaders have remained silent despite serious corruption allegations involving Obasa, particularly accusations of mismanaging over N30 billion in state funds.
He expressed frustration over the apparent lack of accountability, asking, “What happened to the corruption allegations against Obasa? Is this a case of sweeping them under the carpet?”
As the crisis deepens, the Labour Party has called for immediate intervention, urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Lagos to restore order and protect democratic governance in the state.
Arabambi expressed dismay over the lack of response from APC officials, claiming, “Nigerians have now seen the reality of APC’s governance. This incident proves that they cannot be trusted ahead of the 2027 elections. Labour Party remains the only hope for the common man.”
…Lagos Assembly, don’t be like Rivers – Shehu Sani
Civil rights activist and former lawmaker in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani has weighed in on the ongoing crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly, urging lawmakers to avoid descending into the chaos witnessed in Rivers State.
In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter), Sani wrote, “Dear Lagos Assembly, Please don’t be like Rivers.”
…Why I challenged my suspension in court — Lagos Assembly Clerk
Meanwhile, reinstated Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, has resumed back to his duty post, saying his resumption is based on court’s order.
Onafeko was suspended by the House on January 13, the same day Mudashiru Obasa was removed by 36 of the 40 lawmakers sitting on the fateful day.
However, Onafeko approached the National Industrial Court (NIC), to challenge his indefinite suspension by the House and the court ordered for his reinstatement pending the determination of suit he filed against the state government and others.
Addressing journalists in his office on Thursday, Onafeko emphasised that he was appointed as Clerk in 2022 to serve a four-year term and was eligible for reappointment under the Lagos State House of Assembly Legislative Service Commission Law.
He also expressed his confusion over the suspension, stating that he was not given prior notice and did not commit any offense to warrant such action.
Onafeko said with court’s order reinstating him as clerk of the House, the court has nipped the illegality and the legislative rascality of the on bud.
“By implication, the Court has ordered that I resume my duties as the Clerk of the House pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction already filed in the suit. The said order has been duly served on the concerned parties.
“This is a victory for the rule of law and ethos of a civil society. The Court is indeed the last hope of the common man including the oppressed,” he said.