Tension as Obasa set to return as Lagos Assembly speaker

DDM News

Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, who was impeached as Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly on January 13, 2025, is set to return to the position.

Sources indicate that Obasa’s security details have been reinstated, while those of Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, his former deputy and current Speaker, have been withdrawn.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that Meranda, who became the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly following Obasa’s removal, has not officially stepped down.

However, her fate appears to have been sealed over the weekend after key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) intervened in the crisis.

The Obasa dispute started when a faction of lawmakers accused him of financial mismanagement and high-handedness in running the affairs of the Assembly.

The tension peaked in January when lawmakers, backed by security operatives, convened a controversial sitting and impeached Obasa.

His removal triggered an intense power struggle in the Assembly, with Obasa maintaining that due process was not followed in his impeachment.

Supporters of the former Speaker argued that his ousting was politically motivated, orchestrated by forces within and outside the Assembly seeking to weaken his influence.

Following his removal, Meranda was sworn in as Speaker amidst applause from various political blocs that viewed her emergence as a shift in the Assembly’s power dynamics.

However, Obasa’s allies never accepted the leadership change, insisting that he remained the rightful Speaker.

In the weeks that followed, there were several attempts to challenge Meranda’s leadership, with pro-Obasa lawmakers boycotting plenary sessions and questioning the legitimacy of the impeachment.

The situation worsened when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the Assembly two weeks ago, leading to a chaotic scene that forced Meranda to indefinitely adjourn plenary.

While no official statement was issued on the reason for the DSS operation, sources linked it to the ongoing leadership crisis and fears of a breakdown of order in the Assembly.

The intervention of senior APC figures over the weekend appears to have paved the way for Obasa’s reinstatement.

Among those who played key roles in the negotiations were former APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, former Osun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and former Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Muiz Banire.

Other influential figures in the discussions included members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and several lawmakers loyal to Obasa.

At the meeting, Meranda was reportedly asked to step down, with the party leaders declaring that Obasa’s removal was illegal.

According to a source familiar with the discussions, lawmakers were directed to reconvene and officially reinstate Obasa.

“What they said was that Obasa’s removal was illegal and the lawmakers were directed at the meeting to go and return him,” the source told Daily Trust.

It remains unclear when the House will officially reconvene to implement the leadership change.

The political battle over the Speakership has further exposed deep divisions within the Lagos Assembly, with analysts warning that the crisis could have long-term implications.

While Obasa’s camp views his return as a restoration of order, Meranda’s supporters believe it sets a dangerous precedent in legislative governance.

Some lawmakers, speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about the manner in which party leaders handled the crisis, arguing that it undermines the independence of the legislature.

One of them stated, “If the party can just step in and reverse a Speaker’s impeachment, then what is the essence of having an Assembly?”

Despite the controversy, Obasa’s return appears inevitable, given the strong backing he has received from APC leaders and influential lawmakers.

His reinstatement would mark a dramatic comeback for a politician who has dominated the Lagos Assembly for years.

Obasa, who first became Speaker in 2015, has been a key figure in Lagos politics, often wielding significant influence in legislative and executive affairs.

His leadership style has been both praised and criticized, with supporters describing him as a stabilizing force and opponents accusing him of excessive control over Assembly proceedings.

The latest development signals a continuation of the power struggle that has defined the Lagos Assembly in recent months.

If Obasa is reinstated, questions will remain about how he plans to navigate the deep divisions within the Assembly and regain the trust of lawmakers who supported his removal.

For now, the focus is on when and how the Assembly will execute the leadership change, with political observers closely watching the unfolding events.

The power struggle that led to Obasa’s impeachment was one of the most dramatic in Lagos Assembly history.

The impeachment process itself was marred by controversy, with reports of coercion, threats, and internal disputes among lawmakers.

Some lawmakers who initially backed Obasa later withdrew their support, citing governance concerns and allegations of mismanagement.

Others maintained that he was a victim of internal party politics and that his impeachment was rushed without allowing him to defend himself properly.

Obasa’s allies have consistently argued that his leadership brought stability to the Lagos Assembly, ensuring that the legislative agenda was aligned with the state’s development goals.

They believe that his removal was an attempt to weaken the legislature and create instability within the APC-dominated House.

Meranda, on the other hand, has faced resistance since assuming office, with some lawmakers openly challenging her leadership.

Her tenure has been turbulent, marked by boycotts, protests, and opposition from pro-Obasa legislators who refused to acknowledge her authority.

The DSS invasion of the Assembly further heightened tensions, fueling speculation that security agencies were being used to influence the political situation.

Political analysts believe that the Obasa dispute is a reflection of deeper divisions within the Lagos APC, particularly as the party prepares for future elections.

The involvement of APC elders in resolving the crisis suggests that party leadership is keen on maintaining unity and preventing a prolonged crisis that could weaken the party’s hold on the state.

The decision to reinstate Obasa raises questions about the internal workings of the Assembly and whether legislative independence has been compromised.

Critics argue that if lawmakers can be directed to reverse an impeachment, it sets a dangerous precedent for legislative governance.

On the other hand, supporters of the move see it as a necessary correction of an illegitimate process that violated due process.

Regardless of the outcome, the Obasa dispute has exposed the fragility of leadership in the Lagos Assembly and the extent to which political interests influence legislative affairs.

Observers predict that the coming days will be critical as lawmakers navigate the complexities of the leadership transition.

If Obasa returns as Speaker, he will need to rebuild relationships with lawmakers who opposed him and address the concerns that led to his impeachment.

Failure to do so could result in renewed tensions and another leadership crisis in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Meranda’s next steps remain uncertain.

Will she accept the decision and step aside quietly, or will she challenge the reversal of her leadership?

Her response will determine the next phase of the political drama in the Lagos Assembly.

The APC leadership’s role in shaping the outcome of this dispute will also be closely scrutinized.

As the party moves to restore stability, it must also address internal grievances to prevent future conflicts of this magnitude.

For now, the Lagos Assembly remains in a state of uncertainty, awaiting the final resolution of the Obasa dispute.

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