The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, made a shocking return to the Assembly complex on Thursday, throwing the ongoing leadership crisis into further confusion.
Obasa, who was removed from office on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers, entered the premises at around 9 a.m. under tight security. His arrival stunned political observers and raised questions about the intervention of key All Progressives Congress (APC) figures in resolving the crisis.
His replacement, Mojisola Meranda, had been serving as Speaker since his removal, but Obasa’s sudden reappearance appeared to challenge her authority. The return also signaled that mediation efforts led by APC chieftains, including former governors Bisi Akande and Olusegun Osoba, had failed to settle the dispute.
Sources revealed that a meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu’s mediating panel had recommended Obasa’s resignation. The proposal also suggested that Meranda should step down to allow a lawmaker from Lagos West Senatorial District to emerge as Speaker.
However, the political landscape shifted abruptly on Thursday when security personnel assigned to Speaker Meranda were withdrawn while Obasa received a fresh set of escorts.
Later in the evening, the Lagos State Police Command announced that Meranda’s security team had been reinstated. Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh attributed the earlier withdrawal to a routine personnel audit.
“As I speak with you, the audit of the police personnel attached to Hon. Mojisola Meranda has been completed, and her security details have been restored,” Jimoh stated at a press briefing. “This exercise is not targeted at any individual; it is an ongoing process.”
The police also confirmed that Obasa had applied for security protection, citing threats to his life. The command denied allegations that his security detail was reinstated to aid his return to office.
In a statement, Lagos Police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin clarified, “There was an application from Hon. Mudashiru Obasa regarding threats to his life and that of his family. Police personnel were assigned for his protection only.”
Meanwhile, 36 lawmakers rejected Obasa’s return and held a press conference to express their dissatisfaction. House spokesperson Olukayode Ogundipe said they felt disrespected by the leadership’s handling of the crisis.
“We are shocked and embarrassed,” Ogundipe said. “We are not against the leadership’s decision, but they should have communicated with us directly. Instead, we are hearing rumors and witnessing a charade.”
Shortly after his remarks, the lawmakers chanted, “We hereby reject Obasa, we reject him in totality!”
Despite the protests, Obasa insisted he was still the Speaker. “I’ve never been removed; there is nothing like impeachment,” he told reporters. “Any removal must follow due process.”
In a separate interview with TVC, Obasa dismissed suggestions that he had resigned and defended the confidence vote passed in favor of Meranda.
“If our colleagues pass a vote of confidence in her, they have not done anything wrong. The same has been done for me multiple times,” he said.
Obasa later presided over a four-member plenary session and adjourned indefinitely. When asked about the low turnout, he responded, “You cannot force people into plenary. If they claim we were only four, where were the rest?”
As legal battles loom, Obasa’s legal team confirmed they would be in court to challenge his removal. His lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), stated, “We have not been debriefed, and we are proceeding with the case.”
Meanwhile, Speaker Meranda condemned Obasa’s return, with her aide, Ganzallo Victor, calling it an attempt to destabilize the House.
“We demand an immediate clarification from the police and state government on their roles in this situation,” Ganzallo said. “This is politically motivated and threatens the stability of the Lagos Assembly.”
However, a member of the Governance Advisory Council, Chief Muraina Taiwo, supported Obasa’s return. “You can’t put illegality on something legal,” he said
The crisis also drew criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who accused President Tinubu of enabling dictatorship.
“What happened today is an assault on democracy,” Atiku said. “Tinubu’s silence suggests he endorses the strong-arm tactics being used.”
In a surprising turn, Obasa later apologized to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police over an earlier assault on their operatives at the Assembly.
“It is regrettable that DSS operatives were assaulted in our hallowed chambers. I apologize unreservedly,” he stated.
Peace OdekunleFebruary 28, 20253 Mins read
