In a dramatic turn of events, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, made an unexpected return to the legislative complex on Thursday, reigniting tensions within the House.
Obasa, who was removed as Speaker by 36 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, arrived at the Assembly premises around 9 a.m., escorted by security personnel, and proceeded directly to the Speaker’s office.
His reappearance has thrown the House into further disarray, especially following the appointment of Mojisola Meranda as his replacement.
Failed Mediation and Political Intrigue
Despite interventions from key All Progressives Congress (APC) figures, including former governors Bisi Akande and Olusegun Osoba, alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the crisis remains unresolved.
Sources revealed that a mediation panel convened by President Bola Tinubu had recommended Obasa’s resignation and a fresh leadership appointment from the Lagos West Senatorial District. However, the unfolding events suggest otherwise.
On Thursday, security officials assigned to Speaker Meranda were withdrawn without prior notice, only to be reinstated later in the evening.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh attributed the incident to a routine personnel audit, denying any political motives behind the move.
Meanwhile, the police confirmed receiving an application from Obasa citing threats to his life, which justified the deployment of security personnel for his protection.
Lawmakers Reject Obasa’s Return
Reacting to Obasa’s controversial return, 36 lawmakers convened a media briefing where they vehemently opposed his reinstatement.
House spokesperson Olukayode Ogundipe expressed disappointment over the development, urging party leadership to engage them directly rather than orchestrate events behind the scenes.
“We are shocked by today’s events. We have been law-abiding, yet we are being treated unfairly. Leadership should communicate with us openly instead of staging this charade,” Ogundipe lamented.
Shortly after his statement, lawmakers erupted in chants of, “We hereby reject Obasa, we reject him in totality!”
Obasa Declares Himself Speaker, Holds Plenary
Addressing the media, Obasa dismissed claims of impeachment, asserting that due process was not followed in his removal.
“I remain the Speaker. There was no impeachment; what happened was undemocratic and unconstitutional,” he stated.
Despite opposition, Obasa proceeded to hold a plenary session with only four lawmakers in attendance, adjourning indefinitely. When questioned about the low turnout, he responded, “You cannot force people into plenary. The most important thing is that we had our sitting and adjourned.”
Opposition and Political Fallout
Meranda’s aides accused Obasa of forcibly entering the Assembly with armed personnel. Her spokesperson, Ganzallo Victor, condemned the development, describing it as an attempt to destabilize the House’s leadership.
“This is politically motivated and aimed at creating instability. We demand immediate clarification from the police and the Lagos State government regarding their roles in these actions,” he stated.
The crisis has also drawn criticism from outside the Assembly, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemning the situation as an assault on democracy. In a statement, Atiku called on President Tinubu to intervene, warning against a return to “military-style governance.”
Legal Battle and Apologies
Obasa’s legal team confirmed that they would pursue the matter in court, challenging his removal.
Meanwhile, in a bid to mend relationships, Obasa issued a public apology to the Department of State Services (DSS) over an earlier altercation involving security personnel in the Assembly chambers.
“This incident was regrettable, and I extend my apologies to the security agencies involved. The Assembly values the role they play in maintaining order,” Obasa’s statement read.
Uncertain Future for Lagos Assembly Leadership
As the legal battle looms and political tensions remain high, the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly shows no signs of resolution. Whether Obasa will reclaim his position or if the lawmakers’ resistance will prevail remains to be seen.
For now, Lagos politics continues to be a theater of high-stakes drama, leaving both lawmakers and citizens in anticipation of the next development.