Obasa returns as Lagos Assembly Speaker after weeks of power struggle
...Meranda sworn-in as Deputy Speaker after resignation
...Obasa thanks supporters, urges unity in Lagos Assembly
...I resigned to save Assembly from further embarrassment – Meranda
...Obasa’s reinstatement a ‘show of shame’ — Lagos group
By Sodiq Adelakun
After weeks of intense political drama and power struggles within the Lagos State House of Assembly, the protracted battle for the position of Speaker has come to an end with Mudashiru Obasa’s return to the leadership of the legislative body.
Obasa, who was impeached in January 2025, has now been re-elected as the Speaker, bringing an end to the fierce contest that has plagued the Assembly for several weeks.
NewsDirect reports that the crisis began on January 13, 2025, when Obasa, who had served as the Speaker since 2015, was impeached by more than two-thirds of the 40-member House.
His removal, which occurred while Obasa was out of the country, was mired in controversy, with Obasa himself describing the process as unconstitutional, arguing that it had not followed the correct legal procedures.
Upon his return from the United States, Obasa launched a legal and political campaign to reclaim his position, asserting that his impeachment was invalid and that he remained the rightful Speaker.
His challenge was met with strong opposition from lawmakers loyal to Mojisola Meranda, who had been swiftly elected as Speaker following Obasa’s ousting. Meranda became the first female Speaker in the history of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Despite Meranda’s tenure, which began on January 13, 2025, tensions remained high as both camps continued to dispute the legitimacy of each other’s leadership.
Obasa’s supporters insisted that he was still in charge, while Meranda’s allies defended her position, leading to a political standoff that paralyzed the Assembly.
The situation reached a boiling point when, on February 27, 2025, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex, accompanied by armed security personnel, and declared his intent to resume his role as Speaker.
This move was seen as a direct challenge to Meranda’s authority. His return brewed further protests, with some lawmakers vehemently rejecting his leadership and declaring loyalty to Meranda, while others voiced their support for Obasa.
However, in a strategic twist, Meranda announced her resignation from the position of Speaker yesterday.
She was immediately sworn-in as the Deputy Speaker following her nomination.
In her resignation speech, she cited the need to preserve the integrity of the Assembly and stated, “I wish to let every one of you know that I have made a personal sacrifice towards resolving the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“I recognise the role my family has played and continues to play in entrenching democracy, good governance, and the betterment of our people. I will never depart from the well-established path of honor, dignity, integrity, and service as personified by my late father.
“Please permit me, dear colleagues, to restate my position as expressed in the newspaper publication, where I stated as follows: It is with heavy responsibility that I wish to resign my position as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly with effect from this day, March 3, 2025.
“I took this decision carefully and with firm consideration. On one hand, I accepted the position of Speaker on January 13, 2025, and on the other hand, I resigned the position as it is threatening the democracy of this House.
“As good people of Lagos, our mandate is to protect the good people of Lagos State and ensure good governance. I feel that I have demonstrated leadership and selfless sacrifice by resigning in order to protect these resources that we have suffered to build. With your unwavering support, I take this step to step down as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
“I cherish the solidarity that I have enjoyed and that has been given to me by my honorable members. I do not leave out the management and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly. I want to thank you for your support and collaboration.
“As short as it is, this is a memorable event. I need you to permit me to resign as the Rt. Honorable Speaker, and I shall continue to serve my good people of Apapa Constituency 1 in particular and the entire Lagos State in general.
“Thank you for finding me worthy to lead this distinguished and honourable Assembly. I am not a quitter; however, I took this bold decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment.
“Accordingly, I have agreed to yet again make a personal sacrifice by stepping down as the Speaker of this great Assembly. Dear distinguished and gallant honourable members of this 10th Assembly, occasionally, we are confronted by overwhelming challenges and conflicts, but as responsible leaders, we must not break down the legislative House that we collectively built in pursuit of justice and fairness.
“For those who have been unfairly referred to for standing on the side of fair play, kindly take note that there will always be an opportunity to right any wrong. I appreciate the spectrum of solidarity that I received through phone calls, messages, and visits throughout my short tenure.
“I sincerely thank you for your understanding and support, just as we know that party decisions are supreme. At this point, I take a bow as your Speaker, and I step down as your Speaker for this great House.”
She emphasised that her decision was driven by a desire to resolve the leadership crisis and ensure the continued functioning of the Assembly.
Following Meranda’s resignation, Obasa was swiftly re-elected as the Speaker of the Assembly.
He was nominated by former Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, and subsequently took the oath of office. Obasa’s return to the role marks a dramatic end to the weeks of uncertainty and division within the legislative body.
He has now resumed his leadership role, which he had held since 2015, after his abrupt removal earlier this year.
In the wake of the crisis, Obasa expressed gratitude to his supporters and emphasised the need for unity within the Assembly.
“I am back as your Speaker, and together we will move the Assembly forward. It is now time to put our differences aside and work for the good of the people of Lagos State,” he said
The political drama surrounding the Lagos Assembly has also seen the resignation of several other key figures within the leadership, including Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai, who stepped down to become the Chief Whip, and Setonji David, who also resigned as Chief Whip and was re-elected as the Deputy Chief Whip.
The intense power struggle within the Assembly had serious implications for governance in Lagos State, as lawmakers were unable to function effectively due to the internal discord. Now, with Obasa’s return as Speaker, it is hoped that stability can be restored, and legislative activities can resume without further disruption.
Obasa’s return also coincides with a broader political strategy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to regain control of the situation within the Assembly and bring an end to the leadership turmoil.
The APC had been actively involved in trying to mediate the crisis, and with Obasa’s reinstatement, the party appears to have emerged victorious in the ongoing political contest.
Meanwhile, a Lagos-based socio-cultural group, the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, led the charge in denouncing the controversial decision, calling it a “show of shame” that reflects poorly on the integrity of the Assembly.
In a statement released by the group’s Media Office, the Foundation accused the lawmakers of squandering an opportunity to reclaim their autonomy, and instead, being controlled by political forces far beyond their grasp.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly has transformed into an amusement park, a place where the dignity of governance is held in disdain,” the statement read. “It will stand as a monument of shame. History will repeat itself, and Waterloo awaits its occupants.”