In a dramatic turn of events, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has been sworn in as the Deputy Speaker of the House following her resignation from the top position.
Ptincess Meranda was immediately sworn in after being nominated in the emergency plenary held in Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, marking yet another shift in the ongoing leadership crisis that has rocked the Lagos Assembly. Her resignation paved the way for Mudashiru Obasa to return as Speaker on Monday, despite his earlier removal.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has been embroiled in controversy since January 13, 2025, when 32 lawmakers voted to remove Obasa as Speaker, replacing him with Meranda. The crisis deepened with the removal of former Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, further fueling division among lawmakers and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the state.
Obasa’s return as Speaker follows a series of high-level negotiations and resignations from other House leaders. Reports indicate that both Obasa and Meranda arrived at the Assembly complex early Monday, amid fears of a possible breakdown of law and order. However, a strategic meeting involving key political figures, including Lagos State Attorney General Lawal Mohammed Alade Pedro (SAN), APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, and 38 lawmakers, led to a resolution that reinstated Obasa and returned Meranda to her former position as Deputy Speaker.
According to sources, the crisis has drawn the attention of the Presidency, which has made concerted efforts to reinstate Obasa. The Governance Advisory Council (GAC), a powerful body within the APC, was reportedly instructed to rein in anti-Obasa lawmakers and ensure his return.
Initially, a high-powered party committee led by Bisi Akande, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba and former APC National Vice Chairman (South-west), Pius Akinyelure, was set up to mediate the dispute. However, the committee was later disbanded after it was found that its report did not favor Obasa. Subsequently, GAC members were mandated to leverage their political influence to restore Obasa’s position.
A source close to the Presidency revealed:
“The Bisi Akande committee has been disbanded. The President has reached out to GAC members, urging them to influence lawmakers and state executives to ensure Obasa’s reinstatement.”
Despite the political maneuvering, the crisis in the Lagos State Assembly may be laid to rest or could be far from over, as the embattled former Speaker, Obasa, had previously filed a lawsuit against Meranda and 36 lawmakers, challenging his removal.
Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has adjourned the case to March 7, 2025. Should the political strategies fail, the Presidency and party leadership may allow the courts to decide the rightful Speaker. With legal proceedings potentially escalating to the Supreme Court, the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly may remain unresolved for an extended period.
While Obasa has reclaimed his position and Meranda has resumed her role as Deputy Speaker, tensions remain high within the Assembly. The coming days will determine whether peace will prevail or if further conflicts will erupt within Lagos’ legislative arm.
Stay updated with Symfoni News for the latest developments on this unfolding political drama in Lagos State.
