LAGOS— AFTER weeks of crisis, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, retraced their steps and re-elected its embattled former speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa.
This followed the resignation of Mrs. Mojisola Meranda.
Obasa’s re-election by his colleagues followed a series of interventions by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, both at the national and state levels.
Though there were speculations that the reinstated Speaker may resign, it was gathered that a strategic meeting that led to the resolution of the crisis in the Assembly reined in the anti-Obasa lawmakers.
A source familiar with the crisis disclosed that Obasa would not resign, despite his reinstatement.
The source said: “Obasa is back for good; he will not resign. As for Meranda, she was asked to return to her previous position. That is the end of the story.”
Recall that Obasa was removed by 33 out of 39 members of the House on January 13, 2025, and replaced by his erstwhile deputy, Meranda.
The development generated heat, with the Presidency mandating the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, to wade into the matter.
The intervention of the Presidency and other party leaders led to the dousing of the crisis.
Earlier, the Chairman of the GAC, Pa Tajudeen Olusi, had faulted the anti-Obasa lawmakers for deciding without consulting the party and the GAC.
How Sanwo-Olu, others mediated
A source told Vanguard that it took the intervention of Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State alongside other party leaders at a meeting held on Sunday to appease aggrieved lawmakers to reconsider their position on Obasa.
Multiple sources disclosed that the majority of the anti-Obasa lawmakers refused to rescind their position as they were ready to “face the consequences but for the sake of the Governor and other party leaders, who begged the lawmakers to reconsider their stance.”
Some of the anti-Obasa lawmakers, according to the sources, said: “The 34 lawmakers were adamant in their decision. “When they came into the Assembly, the expressions on their faces spoke volumes, especially as they felt slighted by the decision of the party leadership.”
Heavy security presence
As early as 7 am, yesterday, journalists were denied entry into the Lagos State House of Assembly complex by armed security personnel, as the lawmakers prepared for an emergency plenary session.
All-access roads to the Assembly were also barricaded by police officers, forcing motorists to take alternative routes, particularly around Mobolaji Johnson Avenue and the main gate of the Assembly.
Strategic mediation meeting
In a move to resolve the crisis, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by its state chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, and other lawmakers went into a strategic mediation meeting.
As the meeting progressed, the ousted Speaker, Mr Obasa, was called in to join the meeting.
Obasa entered the meeting, exchanging pleasantries with other lawmakers and Mrs Meranda.
After about two minutes, there was another break-out group led by the party leader, Mr Ojelabi, Mr Pedro and some lawmakers including Princess Meranda, Obasa, Abiodun Tobun, Gbolahan Yishawu and Fatai Mojeed.
There were earlier speculations that Meranda would step down to be followed by Obasa’s re-election, who will also resign to pave the way for the emergence of a new Speaker from Lagos West.
But that did not play out before the house adjourned sitting indefinitely.
As the plenary commenced, the legislators took turns to praise Meranda for her legislative acumen, diligence, and performance.
I’m not a quitter —Meranda
In her valedictory speech, Princess Meranda said: “I wish to let everyone of you know that I have to make personal sacrifice towards resolving the straining leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“I recognise the role my family has played and continue to play in entrenching democracy, good governance and the betterment of our people.
“I will never depart from the well-established part of honour, dignity, integrity and service as personified by my late father.
By Damilola Adeleke | March 4, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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