•Speaker Obasa
After weeks of intense intrigues and manoeuvers among main stakeholders and power brokers in Lagos State, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa yesterday regained his seat as the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
His dramatic reinstatement, which was preceded by Honourable Mojisola Meranda resigning and reverting to her position as deputy speaker, was the climax of episodic scenes witnessed within and around the premises of the assembly that culminated in the return to the status quo ante.
The return to the old order by the warring camps is said to be part of the compromise reached by the key interests involved in the leadership crisis, reports Nigerian Tribune.
All eyes are now on Obasa as Nigerians await the next phase of the implementation of the deal, as reports said he is required to resign from the office in order to pave way for a compromise candidate to emerge as new Speaker.
The sources told our correspondent that a new speaker for the Lagos assembly should emerge within the next 48 hours based on the mutual agreement that paved the way for the leadership changes that took place yesterday.
The search for the middle ground over the imbroglio since January 13, when 36 of the 40 members of the Lagos assembly removed Obasa as speaker had involved the major stakeholders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), which comprises leaders of thought and elders in the party.
The power struggle led to altercations among some of the leaders which led to the setting up of a peace committee that included a former national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, among others.
How the drama began
Honourable Meranda arrived at the premises of the assembly complex, amid jubilation from the lawmakers who included those that passed a vote of confidence in her last week.
While newsmen were initially prevented from going into the complex, at about 1:35 p.m. the authorities granted access to journalists to perform their duty.
Obasa meets lawmakers
Obasa returned to the legislative complex yesterday and held a meeting with a group of lawmakers outside the chamber. Meranda, as the then incumbent Speaker of the Assembly, attended the meeting.
The meeting subsequently broke into two groups, with Obasa and Meranda holding another meeting with Lawal Pedro, the Lagos Attorney General; and Cornelius Ojelabi, the state’s APC chairman.
Obasa has insisted that the process that culminated in his removal as speaker on January 13 was flawed.
Obasa, Meranda, Lagos AG in strategic meeting with 38 lawmakers
Obasa had held a strategic meeting with Meranda, the state commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Lawal Mohammed Alade Pedro (SAN), Lagos APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, and 38 lawmakers at the assembly garden ahead of the plenary.
None of the parties disclosed the real reason for the meeting, though some sources claimed it might be a pre-emptive action to guard against a repeat of the unpleasant scenes witnessed in the Assembly last week.
Recall that Obasa zoomed into the assembly complex and held a plenary session with four lawmakers, while those in favour of his removal on January 13 declared there was no going back on their action.
Heavy security
There was a huge presence of security personnel within the vicinity of the assembly as the Lagos State Police Command deployed its officers and men.
The efforts of the officers were complemented by a battery of personnel from other security services to ensure tight security.
Eulogies for Meranda
Earlier, during the plenary session, member representing Ikorodu Constituency 2, Aro Moshood moved that the House should shower encomium on Meranda for her giant strides within the 49 days she was Speaker.
He expressed appreciation to Meranda for piloting the affairs of the House positively, just as he noted that she remained focused on her leadership, and was a source of inspiration to many and beyond her official role.
“I want to appreciate your leadership strides since you started piloting the affairs of this House. Under your leadership, this House has remained focused. Beyond your official role, you have been the source of inspiration to many, also for keeping to time,” Moshood said.
Member representing Oshodi-Isolo constituency 2, Oladipo Ajomale, noted that the memory of her leadership would forever remain with them, praying that the Almighty God continue to guide her.
“We are proud of you. Nobody will ever take the memory of you from this House. The Almighty God continue to guide you,” he said.
Also, member representing Badagry Constituency 1, Solomon Bonu, said they had seen a life-changing leadership, appreciating her efforts geared towards the development of the state.
Solomon, who noted that Lagos and Nigeria love her, stated: “We are happy for having you. We have seen a life-changing leadership in you. We appreciate you for what you have done for Lagos State. Lagos loves you and Nigeria loves you.”
Similarly, the member from Amuwo Odofin 2, Rauf Age, pledged his continued support for her progress, noting that she never left any of them untouched.
“You have never left anyone untouched. This power is in you. We will continue to give you our support,” he said
On his part, the member from Alimosho Constituency 2, Kehinde Joseph, said her time may be short but it would linger in their memory and lauded her for being courageous despite harassment, intimidation and persecution.
“Today makes it 49 days you have been the speaker of this chamber. You are very courageous. Despite harrasment, intimidation and persecution, you stood firm. We appreciate all the political leaders. Your time may be short but it will keep lingering in our memory,” he said.
Also speaking, the representative of Badagry Constituency 2, Honourable David Setonji narrated meeting Meranda in 2015 saying he had not been disappointed.
She described her as compassionate, kind and responsible, adding that she endeared herself to everyone.
“I met her in 2015 and since then I have never been disappointed. She is compassionate, kind and responsible. You have endeared yourselves to everyone. We appreciate you,” he said.
Honourable Adedeji Temitope representing Ifako-ijaye constituency 1, said Meranda restored confidence in him as a legislator
Adedeji noted that she enabled his knowledge on leading with confidence not fear.
“You have restored confidence in me as a legislator. You have given me purpose. You have encouraged me to know that it is easier to lead with confidence and not fear. You have restored the spirit of friendship,” he said.
The member representing Epe Constituency 1, Tobun Abiodun, congratulated her for being Lagosians’ sought-after, just as he described her as the hero of democracy and an achiever.
“I want to congratulate you because Lagosians and residents are behind you. Members of this parliament are behind you. The staff are behind you. So, you are hero of democracy. You are an achiever. You are a winner,” he said.
While lauding the efforts of Meranda as the speaker, the majority of the members displayed a lot of emotions with Desmond Eliot, Temitope Adedeji and Okanlawon Sanni in tears.
Thereafter, the Deputy Chief Whip, Okanlawon Sanni; Chief Whip, David Setonji; deputy Speaker, Fatai Mojeed, stepped down from their positions to join the floor of the House.
The House then moved that Fatai Mojeed should take over the position of Chief Whip of the House while David Setonji be the deputy Chief Whip.
Temitope Adedeji retained the position of the Majority Leader of the House.
Meranda steps down
While announcing her decision to step down, Meranda said it was to save the legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment, stressing that the action was also in recognition of their esteemed political leaders.
She promised not to depart from the well-established path of honour, equity, integrity and the service of her late father, Chief Akanni Lawal Taoreed.
Meranda expressed appreciation to her colleagues and members of staff for their support during her reign, noting that she would join the floor of the House and keep representing the people of Apapa Constituency 1.
“I will never depart from the well established path of honour, equity, integrity and the service as personified by my late father, Chief Akanni Lawal Taoreed Akapo (Adejiyan 2), who was the past Ojora of Lagos.
“It is with every sense of responsibility that I hereby give you notice of my decision to resign as the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly with effect from today 3rd of March, 2025.
“I did not arrive at this decision lightly. Indeed, I took it with careful consideration of all the integral circumstances that led to my emergence as the speaker on the 13th of January, 2025.
“I am a good student of political history and i know that this is the point I have to make this selfless service to resign in order to project this institution.
“With unflinching support, I made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. I value and cherish the solidarity freely given to me by this members and I am sincerely grateful to the management and staff for their support and collaboration during my tenure.
“I leave this position as the Speaker and I shall continue to serve my people of Apapa Constituency 1 in particular and our teeming Lagos residents in general.
“I am not a quitter. However, I took the above decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment and in cognizance of our esteemed political leaders.
“I have agreed to yet again make another sacrifice to step down as the Speaker of this great Assembly,” she said.
Consequently, the acting Clerk of the House, Babatunde Ottun, announced the vacancy of the positions of Speaker and deputy Speaker of the House and Meranda was nominated and elected as the deputy speaker.
One of the loyalists of Obasa and member, representing Eti-Osa constituency 1, Noheem Adams, nominated Obasa as the Speaker of the House, while his counterpart from Mushin Constituency 2, Akinsanya Nureni, seconded the motion.
Immediately after, Obasa came into the chambers to take the seat of the speaker.
In his speech, Obasa promised that all grievances were being resolved with the intervention of the former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, and ex-Governor Segun Osoba of Ogun State.
He noted that the current situation was a reflection of APC’s internal mechanism for resolving issues.
“Today is not the day of speech making. I recognise the efforts of our party chieftains Bisi Akande, Olusegun Osoba and others who waded into the issue. We want to assure Lagosians that we have resolved all grievances.
“This shows that the Lagos State House of Assembly and the party generally have an internal mechanism for resolving issues. It is a day to celebrate with my colleagues and thank them for all they have been doing.”
Thereafter, the House adjourned sine die.
In attendance at the sitting were the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro; chairman of Lagos APC, Cornelius Ojelabi, and other party chieftains.
