Lagos Assembly impeaches Obasa, elects Meranda as first female Speaker
…Implements security measures as Obasa supporters attempt disruption
…Speaker Mojisola Meranda vows to restore integrity to Assembly
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached its Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and elected Mojisola Meranda as his successor, making her the first female speaker in the state’s legislative history.
The impeachment, which was unanimous, was precipitated by allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office levelled against Obasa, who has been at the helm of the assembly since 2015.
A member of the house, who spoke to journalists after the impeachment, described the development as a “change of baton,” emphasising that change is inevitable.
According to the lawmaker, “It is just a change of baton. It is only death that is constant. Change is inevitable, the members of the parliament, today, have decided to change the leadership of the house. And the constitution makes it clear that the house has the power to regulate its proceedings.”
The former deputy speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was sworn in immediately as the new leader of the House.
Following the impeachment, all principal positions and standing committees within the Assembly were dissolved.
Recall that Obasa’s leadership had been marred by controversy, including a public backlash in 2023 over the rejection of 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
At the time, Obasa denied any rift with the governor, although the issue prompted a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Obasa-led assembly proposed a bill to restructure local governance in the state.
The bill sought to replace the existing 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) created in 2003 by Bola Tinubu, former governor of the state, with democratically elected local governments, recognising only 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers have listed perpetual lateness to legislative sections and meetings, highhandedness and inciting members against each other as some of the ‘sins’ over which Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as Speaker of the state assembly.
The Assembly also suspended the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, who was closely linked to Obasa’s administration, replacing him with Abubakar Ottun as Acting Clerk.
Abiodun Tobun, a lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 1, confirmed the lawmakers’ consensus to remove Obasa, asserting that it was essential for the Assembly’s image and the state’s progress.
“The impeachment of Speaker Obasa was a unanimous decision, reached after extensive deliberations. We believe that this change is necessary to ensure the growth and unity of Lagos State,” Tobun said.
The tense impeachment proceedings saw the Assembly members vote to remove Obasa with a resounding voice vote.
The change in leadership was accompanied by heightened security around the Assembly complex, with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos Task Force, and police forces deployed to prevent further unrest.
Some supporters of Obasa attempted to invade the Assembly complex but were promptly intercepted, arrested, and detained. The authorities recovered several charms and amulets from these miscreants, who were believed to be loyal to Obasa.
In her first address as Speaker, Meranda expressed her commitment to transforming the Assembly’s operations and ensuring more collaborative governance.
“I am determined to restore the dignity and integrity of the Lagos State House of Assembly. We will work together to create a legislature that is more responsive to the needs of Lagosians,” she added.
As a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), she has served in various capacities, including as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in the 8th Assembly, and as Chief Whip in the 9th Assembly.
Her educational background, which includes a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of York, UK, and a BSc in Public Administration from Lagos State University, has further solidified her standing as a capable and progressive leader.