Obasa Returns As Speaker of Lagos Assembly

Mudashiru Obasa has reclaimed his position as Speaker of the Lagos state assembly. Representing Agege Constituency I, Obasa was re-elected on Monday, March 3, 2025, following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who had briefly held the speakership.

The state’s assembly plenary session today, marked by swift resignations and re-elections, signaled an end to the speakership crisis of the legislative arm. Obasa, a veteran lawmaker first elected in 2007 and Speaker since June 2015, took the oath of office once more, restoring his leadership seven weeks after his dramatic removal on January 13, 2025.

Mojisola Meranda, the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, announced her resignation during the plenary session. Representing Apapa Constituency I, Meranda stepped down amid reports of a high-stakes meeting with senior All Progressives Congress (APC) members aimed at resolving the Assembly’s protracted crisis.

Her exit paved the way for Obasa’s return, but she didn’t leave the leadership circle entirely, lawmakers immediately re-elected her as Deputy Speaker.

Colleagues praised her tenure, lauding her leadership style, humility, and ability to foster peace during turbulent times, as well as her adherence to APC directives.

Mojeed Fatai, representing Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I, resigned as Deputy Speaker, citing the interest of the House, and was promptly re-elected as Chief Whip.

Setonji David of Badagry Constituency II stepped down as Chief Whip only to be re-elected as Deputy Chief Whip.

Meanwhile, Okanlawon Sanni from Kosofe Constituency I, resigned as Deputy Chief Whip, rounding out a series of calculated moves that appeared orchestrated to stabilize the Assembly.

These realignments underscore the negotiations that were made behind the scenes that have led to the end of this crisis.

The Roots of the Speakership Crisis

The leadership tussle erupted on January 13, 2025, when Obasa was impeached by more than two-thirds of the 40-member House over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Meranda, then Deputy Speaker, was swiftly elected as his replacement.

However, Obasa rejected the impeachment, claiming it occurred in his absence while he was abroad and decrying the militarization of the Assembly complex during the process.

His defiance set the stage for a power struggle, with 36 lawmakers initially backing Meranda and affirming her legitimacy through a vote of confidence on February 17, 2025.

Meranda’s graceful exit, Obasa’s reinstatement and then the reshuffling of roles suggest a compromise made by the legislative arm to restore order. Yet questions linger about the stability of this truce.

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