…I didn’t arrive at this decision lightly – Meranda
…We’ll continue to work together in peace, love, harmony – Obasa pledges
Amid the leadership tussle that has assailed the Lagos State House of Assembly in the last seven weeks, the lawmaker representing Agege Constituency I, Mudashiru Obasa, has been re-elected as the Speaker of the Assembly.
History was made and then swiftly rewritten as Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, the first female Speaker of the Assembly, resigned on Monday after a brief 49-day tenure.
Obasa’s re-election followed the nomination by a former Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, who represents Eti-Osa Constituency 1.
Obasa subsequently took the oath of office as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly seven weeks after his removal.
Announcing her resignation, Meranda said she was not a quitter but took the decision to end the crisis in the House and save the Assembly from embarrassment.
She said: “It is with every sense of responsibility that I hereby give you notice of my decision to resign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly with effect from today, 3rd of March, 2025.
“I did not arrive at this decision lightly. Indeed, I took into careful consideration all the integral circumstances that related with my election as Speaker on January 13, 2025.
“I have to make this selfless sacrifice to resign in order to protect this institution, with your unflinching support.
“I made history as the first female Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly and I value and cherish the solidarity freely given to me.
“I am not a quitter. However, I took the decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflicts and embarrassment.
“I am entranced by the dialogue of personal messages, phone calls, public shows of support and groundswell of solidarity from a broad spectrum of our society.”
Meranda said the nation was blessed with great men and women of honour, adding that it was her earnest hope that the leadership of her great party would continue to provide guidance and support for the aspiration of the people.
She thanked the people of Lagos for their understanding and support.
Shortly after the announcement, lawmakers took turns to praise Meranda for her leadership role for the 49 days of her speakership.
The lawmakers described Meranda as a hero of democracy.
Meranda’s departure, along with that of the Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip, plunged the Assembly into a moment of emotional upheaval, leaving lawmakers and staff visibly distraught.
The sudden resignations, which included Fatai Mojeed (Deputy Speaker), David Setonji (Chief Whip), and Sanni Okanlawon (Deputy Chief Whip), occurred during a plenary session that quickly became a scene of both admiration and sorrow.
Lawmakers showered Meranda with accolades, praising her as a “hero of democracy,” “kind,” “compassionate,” “respectful,” “responsible,” “intelligent,” and “fair.” She was repeatedly hailed as a “role model” for women and girls.
The emotional atmosphere was palpable, particularly as Desmond Elliot, a fellow lawmaker, rose to speak, only to be overcome by tears and unable to utter a word. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, congratulated the former Speaker, eulogising her exemplary character.
The plenary session was also attended by key figures from the All Progressives Congress, including Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, Deputy Chairman, Michael Mayegun, and other party leaders. Many of these attendees, including Adeola Jokonba, Samuel Akiode, Mogaji Ola Aina Lawal, Sabur Oluwa, and Olaide Ajayi, were visibly moved.
Immediately following the resignations, the House swiftly re-nominated a new executive. David Setonji was reinstated as Deputy Chief Whip, Richard Kasumu was nominated as Deputy Majority Leader, Adewale Temitope as Majority Leader, and Mojeed Fatai as Chief Whip.
Speaking during the plenary session, Obasa thanked the lawmaker while calling for unity and love.
He said, “We want to assure Lagosians that we have resolved and determined to serve their interest and protect their interest always.
“Our major responsibility is to represent them and; that’s what we have been doing.
“What is happening here today shows that the Lagos State House of Assembly is capable and is a House of integrity. It is a house that has an internal mechanism to resolve issues in the interest of the institution and our party.
“Today is not the day for speech making but to celebrate my colleagues and thank them for all they have been doing. I am sure we will continue to work together in peace, love and harmony.”
Meranda’s brief tenure began on January 13, 2025, following the impeachment of Obasa. The impeachment motion, brought forward 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, leading to Obasa’s removal. Obasa, who had served as Speaker since 2015, had faced numerous controversies, including accusations of high-handedness and misuse of public funds.
Earlier on Monday, the Lagos State Chairman of the APC, Cornelius Ojelabi, met with Meranda and Obasa on how to put an end to the festering crisis.
Both pro-Obasa lawmakers and those who had pledged support for Meranda attended the meeting.
Obasa was first elected into the House in 2007. He has been in the chamber since then. He emerged as a speaker in June 2015 before his removal in January 2025.
The leadership crisis in the Assembly became full-blown on January 13, 2025, when Obasa was removed as Lagos speaker by more than two-thirds of the 40-member house who voted him out over alleged misconduct and sundry offenses.
Obasa’s then deputy, Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South West state.
On January 25, 2025, Obasa vehemently rejected his removal and insisted that he remained the speaker until the right thing had been done. He faulted the militarisation of the assembly complex during the impeachment process. He also claimed his removal as speaker took place in his absence — when he was out of Nigeria.
However, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda insisted that Obasa’s removal was final and that Meranda remained the speaker of the House.
On February 17, 2025, tempers flared at the Assembly Complex when security agents and some legislative workers clashed over the presence of the former in the hallowed chambers. Thereafter, 36 of the lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in an emotional Meranda and adjourned sitting indefinitely.
On February 27, 2025, Obasa showed up at the Assembly Complex and was chaperoned by a retinue of armed, stern-looking uniformed security operatives as he walked into the hallowed chambers. Last Thursday’s appearance was Obasa’s first in the Assembly since his removal as Lagos speaker on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Obasa insisted that he remained the speaker of the House despite protests by his colleagues who rejected his leadership and pledged loyalty to Meranda.
