In dramatic turn of events, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has announced that he has resumed as Speaker
Obasa was removed as Speaker on January 13, 2025, for alleged misconduct and financial misappropriation.
Obasa who returned to the Assembly for the first time since his ouster declared that he remains the Speaker.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa declared.
Obasa arrived at the Assembly around 11:30 AM, accompanied by heavily armed police officers and civil defence personnel.
The situation invariably thrown the Assembly into confusion especially as the incumbent Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was absent from the scene.
Our correspondent gathered that two out of 39 lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya (Osmak), representing Mushin Constituency I, and Noheem Adams, representing Mushin Constituency II, accompanied Obasa to the complex.
As of the time of filing this report, the doors to the Speaker’s office had been forced open by Obasa’s loyalists.
Also, thousands of jubilant supporters of Obasa have stormed the Lagos Assembly complex in their thousands to celebrate his return to office.
The access roads to the complex have been taken over by Obasa’s loyalists, forcing motorists to use alternative routes as all entrances have been blocked to traffic.
Prior to this the security aide of Mojisola Meranda, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Assembly complex were withdrawn.
The reason behind the withdrawal remains unclear, as neither the Lagos State Police Command nor the state government has issued an official statement.
The Speaker’s aide, however, confirmed that Meranda is now without security and described the situation as worrisome.
“As we speak, all security has been withdrawn from the Speaker, and she is now on her own,” Ganzallo stated.
He warned that the Speaker is now “vulnerable and open to attack,” emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the security lapse.
Then Impeached speaker of Lagos State House of Aseembly, Mudashiru Obasa arrived the Complex with heavy security apparatus.
The embattled speaker came with more than 11 police officers and headed straight to the Speaker’s Office amidst news of the withdrawal of the new speaker’s security operatives.
Also, there are indications that Meranda may step down from her position, but only under certain conditions.
Sources revealed that she has agreed to resign but insisted that the process must take place during a plenary session.
The Assembly had previously adjourned indefinitely after 36 out of 40 lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in her leadership.
However, following interventions from leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a resolution was reached that she should step down to allow Lagos West to produce the next Speaker.
Discussions about her possible resignation are still ongoing, with party representatives from Abuja mediating between lawmakers.
Reports revealed that Meranda might return to her former role as Deputy Speaker if she steps down.
Meanwhile, eight lawmakers from Lagos West have been identified as potential candidates to take over the Speakership.
They are Setonji David, representing Badagry Constituency 2, Temitope Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaye 1 Constituency, Kehinde Joseph, representing Alimosho 1 and Adedamola Kasunmu representing Ikeja 2
Others are Lukman Olumoh representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1, Wale Rauf Sulaimon, representing Mushin constituency 2, Nureni Akinsanya, representing Mushin Constituency 1, and Surajudeen Tijani, representing Ojo 2.
