Lagos Assembly Re-elects Obasa as speaker following Meranda's resignation

LAGOS,Nigeria (NAN) - In a significant development following weeks of turmoil surrounding the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Mojisola Meranda resigned from her position as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, complying with an order from President Bola Tinubu. 

Sources indicate that Meranda stepped down to promote unity within the assembly and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

Mudashiru Obasa was ousted from his role on January 13 after he was accused of misappropriation   of billions in procurement allocations for vehicles and other items that were never delivered. Meranda was subsequently appointed as his successor.

However, since taking office, Meranda faced significant challenges, including being denied access to the official Speaker’s Lodge, which Obasa refused to vacate.

 He labeled his impeachment as illegal and maintained his claim to the position. On February 14, Obasa filed a lawsuit against Meranda and the Lagos Assembly, contesting his removal and seeking reinstatement, arguing that the impeachment lacked due process.

The political crisis escalated despite numerous meetings involving Lagos and Abuja politicians loyal to Tinubu, who heads the APC's Governance Advisory Council in Lagos. While the president had directed lawmakers to reinstate Obasa, fears of retribution among colleagues complicated the situation. Council member Muraina Akanbi Taiwo publicly rejected any attempts to restore Obasa, asserting that " Tinubu is not God."

On February 27, Obasa declared that he had resumed his role as Speaker, defying Meranda's claims of legitimacy.

He entered the assembly accompanied by police and State Security Service personnel, proclaiming, "I’ve resumed and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly."

Critics have condemned the president's intervention as a threat to democratic integrity, urging adherence to the rule of law.

Ultimately, the Lagos State House of Assembly re-elected Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on Monday, nearly two months after his impeachment.

 This decision followed Meranda's resignation and marked the culmination of prolonged internal conflicts within the assembly.

Obasa dismissed his impeachment as a farce, asserting that it did not follow the proper procedures.

He also pledged not to retaliate against the more than 30 legislators who voted for his ouster, referring to them as "brothers and sisters."