LAGOS, Nigeria – Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, was on Monday reinstated as Speaker following weeks of political turmoil, high-level interventions, and a leadership crisis that divided the House. His return comes after his removal on January 13, 2025, by 36 out of 40 lawmakers.
The crisis was resolved after mediation by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the party’s state chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN. As part of the settlement, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the Assembly and held office for 49 days, resigned. Other principal officers, including Deputy Speaker Fatai Mojeed, Chief Whip David Setonji, and Deputy Chief Whip Ganiu Okanlawon, also stepped down.
Meranda, who received a standing ovation and emotional outpouring of love from other lawmakers and Assembly staff before resigning, stated that she was stepping down in the best interest of the party and to ensure stability in the House. Following the reshuffle, she was elected as Deputy Speaker, while Mojeed was reappointed as Chief Whip.
Other leadership positions remained unchanged, with Mr. Adewale continuing as Majority Leader, Mr. Setonji as Deputy Chief Whip, and Mr. Richard Kasumu retaining his position as Deputy Majority Leader.
Obasa Attacks Journalists Over Reports of His Removal, House Invasion, and Court Case
Obasa’s reinstatement was not without controversy. The former Speaker expressed his displeasure with journalists, calling them “fifth columnists” for reporting on the circumstances of his removal. The journalists in the gallery rebuffed the derogatory appellation which he recanted. Media reports had stated that Obasa was validly removed by the House and had allegedly invaded the Assembly with armed security personnel and thugs to intimidate lawmakers and staff.
In addition, Obasa sued the Lagos State House of Assembly at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, challenging his removal. The case is still before Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, despite Obasa’s public denial that he ever took legal action. His comments against journalists came after these reports circulated widely, adding to tensions surrounding his return.
Closed-Door Meeting and Power Negotiations
The resolution of the crisis followed series of meetings by the powerful Governor’s Advisory Council and interventions by former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba and ex-Osun State Governor, Bisi Akande, and a closed-door meeting on Thursday within the Assembly premises, attended by all 40 lawmakers, party leaders, and government officials. Security was heightened around Alausa, Ikeja, and journalists were initially barred from accessing the complex.
During the meeting, Obasa was seen greeting lawmakers before engaging in discussions with key APC figures, including Meranda and other senior legislators. A breakout session involving party leaders and lawmakers sealed the agreement that led to Obasa’s reinstatement.
Following the plenary session, the House adjourned indefinitely, marking an official end to the leadership crisis. However, with lingering tensions and an unresolved court case, the political drama within the Lagos State Assembly may not be entirely over.
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