March 03, (THEWILL) – The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has been resolved following a high-stakes meeting at the Governor’s residence in Marina on Sunday night.
The meeting, attended by all Assembly members, leaders of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other key stakeholders, sought to settle the speakership dispute between Honourable Mudashiru Obasa and Honourable Mojisola Meranda.
Obasa, who was impeached by 36 out of 40 lawmakers, had remained defiant, while Meranda was elected as his replacement.
However, after extensive deliberations, a vote was conducted to determine Obasa’s support among members.
He secured only seven votes, effectively ending his bid to retain the position.
Sources at the meeting revealed that lawmakers openly expressed their grievances, with some accusing Obasa of neglecting their welfare.
One member reportedly recounted how he spent two weeks in intensive care without receiving financial support from the Assembly.
Others lamented that they had taken loans to sustain themselves due to inadequate welfare provisions under Obasa’s leadership.
Despite his rejection by the lawmakers, it was agreed—following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention—that Obasa should be reinstated as Speaker to allow him to resign voluntarily, providing him with a “soft landing.”
Meranda was also asked to step down.
It was further resolved that both Obasa and Meranda must submit their resignation letters to the GAC by Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
A new Speaker from the Lagos West Senatorial District is expected to be selected and presented to the lawmakers on the same day.
Obasa, a close ally of President Tinubu, was impeached on January 13, 2025, while Tinubu was on an official trip to Abu Dhabi.
His removal, which had the backing of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Assembly’s majority, sparked intense political wrangling, with the presidency pushing for his reinstatement.
Obasa, who represents Agege 1 State Constituency, has served as Speaker since 2015, making him the longest-serving Speaker in Lagos Assembly history. Meranda, on the other hand, made history as the first female Speaker of the House.
A previous version of this report was published earlier. This copy has been edited for clarity – Editor
