LAGOS STATE – Hon. Mudasiru Obasa was reinstated as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly on March 3, 2025, after a tense 49-day standoff over control of the legislative body. During this period, Hon. Mojisola Meranda briefly held the position but has since returned to her role as Deputy Speaker.
What initially began as internal disagreements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated into intense political drama, involving lawmakers, party supporters, and security agencies at the assembly complex. The situation reportedly angered President Bola Tinubu, who viewed Obasa’s removal as an attempt to undermine his influence in Lagos politics. Traditionally, no Speaker in Lagos had been chosen without Tinubu’s endorsement, making Obasa’s removal without his approval a significant breach of political protocol.
Sources indicate that the president was particularly displeased because some lawmakers were allegedly misled into believing that he had sanctioned Obasa’s removal. He insisted on Obasa’s reinstatement to reaffirm his authority over Lagos politics.
Hon. Meranda, the former interim Speaker, is the younger sister of Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom. The Oniru monarch had previously served as Tinubu’s aide-de-camp when he was Lagos governor and later held various commissioner roles under past administrations before ascending the throne in 2020. It is believed that the plan to unseat Obasa was first discussed at his palace before being finalized elsewhere.
President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu were reportedly displeased that such a major political shift occurred while the president was out of the country and without their consent. Although the immediate crisis has been resolved, several individuals who played roles in Obasa’s removal are now concerned about potential political repercussions.
One of the most affected figures is Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu, who is now facing internal battles after falling out of favor with both the president and Chief Mrs. Remi Tinubu, who had once been his political patron.
Sanwo-Olu’s political journey began when Femi Pedro, former Lagos Deputy Governor, introduced him to the Tinubu political structure. Over the years, Sanwo-Olu held key government positions, including Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions under Governor Fashola, and Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) under Governor Ambode.
In 2019, when Ambode was denied a second term by the APC, the party sought a Christian candidate to complete the remaining four years designated for a Christian governor. Although several names were considered, Mrs. Remi Tinubu reportedly convinced her husband that Sanwo-Olu, who had built a close relationship with the political family, was the best option.
Initially, Sanwo-Olu was expected to serve only one term, after which a Muslim candidate would take over in 2023. However, due to political considerations, particularly Tinubu’s decision to run for president on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, Sanwo-Olu was allowed a second term to avoid backlash from the Christian community.
The recent crisis at the Lagos Assembly, however, has severely strained his relationship with the Tinubu political dynasty. The president and his wife perceive the attempt to remove Obasa as a direct challenge to their authority, rather than just a legislative decision.
A source revealed that Tinubu felt betrayed because many of his former allies, such as Rauf Aregbesola and Muiz Banire, had already distanced themselves from him during the Buhari administration. With Obasa being one of the few remaining loyalists, his removal was seen as a deliberate move to weaken Tinubu’s political grip on Lagos. Additionally, legal professionals like Femi Falana and Muiz Banire reportedly supported the lawmakers who orchestrated the change, further fueling Tinubu’s anger.
The fallout from this crisis has left Sanwo-Olu in a precarious position. Once considered a close political protégé of Remi Tinubu, the governor now finds himself in an uncertain alliance with Obasa, who is aware of the governor’s weakened position. Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu has been making efforts to regain favor with the First Lady and the president, as he continues to navigate the political landscape marked by these silent but significant battles.
By Damilola Adeleke | March 20, 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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