Breaking News: Mojisola Steps Down as Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Obasa Reinstated

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a dramatic turn of events, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has resigned from her position as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, paving the way for the reinstatement of Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as the legislative leader.

The announcement came during a plenary session on Monday afternoon, marking the end of a contentious leadership crisis that has gripped the Assembly since January.

Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, tendered her resignation amid mounting political pressure and a series of events that saw her predecessor, Obasa, forcefully reclaim the Speaker’s office in recent weeks. Her decision was confirmed during a session attended by 34 lawmakers, who had earlier praised her leadership and maturity in handling the turmoil, according to posts circulating on X.

Obasa, forcefully reclaim the Speaker’s office in recent weeks

The resignation follows weeks of escalating tensions, beginning with Obasa’s impeachment on January 13, 2025, by 32 of the Assembly’s 40 members over allegations of financial misappropriation and misconduct. Meranda was elected as Speaker in his place, but Obasa challenged the move, asserting that his removal was unconstitutional. Last week, he stormed the Assembly complex with armed security personnel, declaring himself reinstated, a move condemned by Meranda’s supporters as a “show of shame.”

Reports indicate that a political resolution was reached behind closed doors, with Meranda agreeing to step down to resolve the deadlock. Sources suggest that the reinstatement of Obasa’s security details last week, coupled with the withdrawal of Meranda’s, signaled a shift in support from key stakeholders, including elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the plenary, Obasa was formally reinstated as Speaker, with lawmakers reportedly set to reconvene under his leadership shortly after Meranda’s exit.

Meranda’s brief tenure was marked by significant challenges, including accusations of destabilization attempts by Obasa’s faction and a legal battle that saw 35 lawmakers defending her position in court. Despite her historic milestone, the crisis overshadowed her efforts, with observers noting that her resignation may reflect broader power struggles within Lagos politics.

Obasa, a veteran lawmaker from Agege Constituency, returns to a position he held for several years before his ousting. His reinstatement has sparked mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a restoration of stability, while others criticize it as a rollback of democratic progress in the Assembly. The judiciary, which had scheduled a hearing on Obasa’s legal challenge for March 7, may now see the case rendered moot.

As Lagos residents and political analysts digest the developments, all eyes are on Obasa’s next moves and whether his return will quell the unrest or ignite further discord in the state’s legislative body. For now, the Lagos State House of Assembly appears to have closed a turbulent chapter, though the underlying tensions may yet resurface.