According to sources in the Lagos State House of Assembly, the House has been adjourned indefinitely to allow tensions over the leadership crisis to dissipate, with some lawmakers claiming that the recent agreement is simply superficial.
According to reports, this comes after Mudashiru Obasa was reinstated as Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly.
“The original idea was for Meranda to quit today and Obasa to resign on Wednesday, tomorrow. Then, another politician from Lagos West would be elected as new speaker. Anything less than this agreement is a waste of the party leaders’ efforts. One individual cannot be superior to the other 35 MPs. “It will not be business as usual in this Assembly,” a source informed Leadership.
On Monday, MPs and Assembly personnel openly wept after previous Speaker Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda resigned, opening the path for Obasa’s reinstatement.
The crisis in the Assembly began on January 13, when Obasa was removed from office. Many members and staff openly complimented Meranda’s leadership during her 49-day tenure as Speaker. Some saw her resignation as a return to dictatorial leadership in the House.
Before stepping down, Meranda and Obasa met with other legislators in the presence of Lagos State Attorney General Lawal Pedro and Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
Meranda was reappointed as Deputy Speaker after her resignation, while Obasa took the oath of office to resume her position as Speaker. Hon. Sanni Okanlawon resigned as Deputy Chief Whip, while Hon. Setonji David stood down as Chief Whip.
Hon. David was later re-elected as Deputy Chief Whip following his nomination by Hon. Kehinde Joseph. Hon. Richard Kasunmu resumed his position as Deputy Majority Leader, while Hon. Adewale Temitope remained in office.
Read Also: House of Reps Adjusts Deadline for State Creation Applications
Similarly, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai resigned and was elected Chief Whip, with Meranda returning as the new Deputy Speaker.
Meranda served as Speaker for 49 days before standing down in respect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) party leadership.
This decision was reportedly made during a strategic discussion between the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and House members on Sunday. According to reports, Obasa had to petition for his reinstatement during the lengthy hearings, pledging to improve his leadership style.
During the plenary session, MPs took turns praising Meranda for her leadership.
Meranda noted in her remarks that her choice to resign was a personal sacrifice with the primary goal of preserving democracy.
“I thus offer notice of my decision to resign, effective March 3, 2025, after carefully evaluating the current instability and the necessity to defend democracy.
“I also want to thank my colleagues, management, and staff for their support during my stay in office. I leave my role as Speaker and will continue to serve Apapa Constituency 1.
“I’m not a quitter. I decided to protect the institution from conflict and shame. The party is supreme, so I bow and step down as Speaker.”
In his response, a very contrite Obasa thanked party leaders for their efforts to resolve the Assembly’s leadership problem.
He thanked previous Osun State Governors Bisi Akande and Olusegun Osoba, as well as GAC leaders Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, for their efforts to broker peace.
Obasa confirmed the Assembly’s ability to self-regulate and resolve internal conflicts, noting that the House is still capable and mature in managing such issues.
