Party power prevails as Meranda resigns, Obasa returns in Lagos Assembly shake-up

• Meranda becomes Deputy Speaker; Fatai, Chief Whip; Setonji, Deputy Chief Whip
• Lawmakers divided between tears, triumph, pledge harmony
• APC spokesman hails resolution as victory for democracy, Lagos politics
• PDP leaders call for urgent measures to ‘save soul of Lagos’
• Rhodes-Vivour decries events as ‘disgraceful state capture’

In an unexpected twist that reshaped the political dynamics of Lagos State, the House of Assembly witnessed a rare and dramatic leadership transition yesterday, with two speakers presiding within hours in a peaceful atmosphere.

The resignation of Mojisola Meranda and the swift reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa marked the end of a 49-day standoff that had thrown the assembly into disarray since January 13.

The resolution, brokered through last-minute interventions by top APC leaders, not only quelled weeks of tension but also underscored the enduring grip of party supremacy over legislative independence.

Many had anticipated a tense session at the assembly, but events unfolded differently. This was particularly unexpected given the staunch positions maintained over the weekend by the main factions—Obasa and Meranda—alongside their respective supporters and lawmakers regarding the assembly’s leadership.

Obasa finally returned to the assembly complex on Thursday, February 27, 45 days after the crisis began. Lawmakers aligned with Meranda, who were also present at the complex that day, reaffirmed their support for her as speaker and rejected Obasa’s claim to the position.

While the tensions of February 27 did not escalate into the rowdiness or physical confrontations witnessed on February 17, there was a conspicuous security presence in and around the assembly complex, comprising law enforcement officers, political thugs, and supporters.

That same day, Obasa declared himself speaker and underscored his authority by presiding over a plenary session attended by only four assembly members.
Following the relative calm of February 27, the dispute shifted to the courtroom on Friday, February 28, with Obasa filing a case to challenge his removal as speaker.

Amid counter-announcements directing assembly workers to resume on Monday, March 3 or work remotely, expectations were high for a contentious sitting yesterday. However, by the end of the day, two speakers had presided over the house in succession within hours, with one later emerging as deputy speaker.

Before the plenary yesterday, the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) executive team, led by the state Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelade, and Deputy Chairman, Prince Michael Mayegun, held separate and joint meetings with lawmakers, Obasa, and Meranda. These discussions reportedly followed a Sunday meeting between the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and the lawmakers, during which the feuding parties reached a compromise.

As part of the agreement, Obasa relinquished his staunch ally, the former Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, who was replaced by Adewale Temitope as the new Majority Leader.

Before the plenary session, lawmakers convened at the assembly garden park, with both Meranda and Obasa in attendance, likely to address lingering issues ahead of the sitting.

During the session, legislators reluctantly accepted Meranda’s resignation as speaker, after which they individually praised her leadership. Several other principal officers also stepped down, including Sanni Okanlawon as Deputy Chief Whip and Setonji David as Chief Whip.

Immediately following their resignations, Kehinde Joseph nominated Setonji David, who was re-elected as Deputy Chief Whip, while Richard Kasunmu resumed his position as Deputy Majority Leader. Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai resigned and was subsequently elected Chief Whip, while Meranda was elected Deputy Speaker.

This development marked the end of Meranda’s 49-day tenure as speaker, underscoring the supremacy of the APC. Moving a motion under Matters of Public Importance, Aro Moshood said: “Today, I stand in the House with deep respect for the leadership of Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda. I want to appreciate your leadership style since you began piloting the affairs of the House.

“Madam Speaker, under your leadership, we have witnessed a new focus, presiding with passion. You have been a source of inspiration to us. Thank you, may God bless you.”

Desmond Elliot attempted to speak but became emotional, breaking into tears and unable to continue. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, congratulated the former speaker and commended her exemplary character.

In his remarks after being reinstated as speaker, Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues and party leaders for their intervention during the crisis. He thanked them for their efforts in securing his return to the position and pledged to continue working with their support.

The lawmakers resolved to foster peace and harmony in their activities moving forward. At the plenary session, in addition to party executive members, prominent party leaders present included Adeola Jokonba, Samuel Akiode, Mogaji Ola Aina Lawal, Sabur Oluwa, and Olaide Ajayi.

MERANDA’s brief tenure began on January 13, 2025, following the impeachment of Obasa. The impeachment motion, introduced by Femi Saheed under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, cited allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and authoritarian leadership. The motion was unanimously adopted by 32 out of 40 members, resulting in Obasa’s removal.

Staff at the assembly watched yesterday’s unfolding events in the legislative chamber with awe, many wearing gloomy expressions as they went about their work, particularly after Meranda stepped down and Obasa was reinstated.

Before the sitting, it was gathered that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had intervened, pleading with anti-Obasa lawmakers to let go of their grievances. Although the lawmakers conceded to the governor’s pleas, they reportedly expressed displeasure at Obasa’s leadership style, which they described as high-handed.

Meanwhile, Obasa’s return came with certain conditions that might unfold in the coming days. COMMENTING on the development, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, described the events at the assembly as a “disgraceful show of state capture.”

Rhodes-Vivour expressed dismay at the reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa and the resignation of Mojisola Meranda. He attributed the crisis to “ego, the desire for control, and godfatherism” that he claimed has come to define Lagos politics. He alleged that the state has been held captive by the interests of one man, rather than addressing the needs and aspirations of constituents or the state assembly members.

He said: “It is a disgraceful show of state capture, one that reveals the legislative arm of Lagos State has no independence. An attempt to decide who should represent them has caused so much chaos, desecrating the state assembly with armed force. The solidarity that the legislative assembly displayed for themselves has been crushed by the ego, the desire for control, and the godfatherism that characterises Lagos politics.

“The state capture of Lagos is about the interest of one man—not the constituents, not the millions of residents, and not even the state assembly members. Their will doesn’t matter, their allegations don’t matter, and their sentiments about the situation don’t matter. What matters is the desire to control and keep his foot on the necks of residents for the past 20 years.”

SIMILARLY, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George; former PDP State Chairman, Tunji Shelle; and Dr. Olatokunbo Pearse argued that now is the time to “Save the Soul of Lagos.”

The trio claimed democracy has been undermined in Lagos by how APC leaders manage the state, stressing that urgent action is needed to rescue it. According to George, the situation at the Lagos Assembly stems from Tinubu and a few APC leaders handpicking lawmakers, enabling them to manipulate the assembly at will.

“If the lawmakers decided to remove Obasa and replace him, what does that have to do with outsiders? Why would they force Obasa back on Lagos residents as speaker? It indicates that Obasa is safeguarding something sinister for the APC leaders in Lagos,” George stated.

George called on Lagos leaders to find a way to free the state from the grip of Tinubu and his allies. He warned that Tinubu’s interference in issues affecting Rivers, Kano, Lagos, and Osun states poses serious dangers not only to democracy but also to national security.

On his part, Shelle said Lagos is under political siege orchestrated by Tinubu and the GAC members, urging Lagos residents to oppose the GAC. “The so-called GAC is a hindrance to the democratic development of Lagos, and until it is scrapped, the state cannot experience meaningful growth and development.”

He described Obasa’s reinstatement as a slap on the legislative arm of government, which, in his view, should never have happened. Shelle also criticised the 34 lawmakers over the allegations they had made against Obasa before his removal. He said: “They are as guilty as Obasa regarding the misappropriation of funds. What were they looking at before now?

“The money in question is what APC has been using to manipulate elections in Lagos instead of implementing developmental projects. I believe the leaders of Lagos should take a stand now.”

Similarly, Pearse said: “Democracy has long been undermined in the state, but its fate was sealed yesterday.” Responding to the opposition’s commentary on the assembly’s developments, the Lagos State APC stated that the disagreement in the assembly was aimed at highlighting internal issues that stretched the party’s well-tested conflict resolution mechanisms.

Lagos APC spokesman, Oluseye Oladejo, said that as a truly democratic party, the APC refrained from unnecessary interference in the legislature’s affairs, whose independence it holds in high regard.

According to him, the House turned to the party after the conflict persisted and resisted all efforts at resolution. Oladejo noted that members of the House formally briefed the party about the situation and sought its counsel a few days ago.

He emphasised that the 39 APC members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who were elected on the party’s platform, remain committed to delivering on their mandate.

“The party met with all the members and proposed practical solutions that were sacrificial, stabilising, and in the best interest of the state,” Oladejo said. He clarified that the party’s role was strictly advisory, with its suggestions only becoming binding if adopted by the House.

The APC spokesman praised the lawmakers for setting aside personal interests in favour of collective goals and aspirations. He expressed confidence that lessons had been learned from the incident and that the House had emerged more united and determined to serve the state effectively.

Oladejo described the resolution as a victory for democracy, highlighting what he called the sophistication of Lagos politics, which, according to him, is “heads and shoulders above common standards.”

Taking a swipe at the opposition, Oladejo said they had celebrated too early over the assembly’s internal issues, dismissing their reaction as “a storm in a teacup.” He expressed hope that the opposition would rein in their propaganda machinery.