Obasa Returns As Lagos Speaker After Meranda Resigns
Amid the leadership turmoil that has plagued the Lagos State House of Assembly over the past seven weeks, Mudashiru Obasa, the lawmaker representing Agege Constituency I, has been re-elected as Speaker of the Assembly.
Obasa was re-elected on Monday following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down as Speaker. His re-election came after a nomination by the former Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency I.
Obasa was sworn in as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, marking his return to the role seven weeks after his removal. Obasa, who first joined the House in 2007, has held the position of Speaker since June 2015 before his removal in January 2025.
On January 25, 2025, Obasa strongly rejected his removal and maintained that he remained Speaker until proper procedures were followed. He criticized the militarization of the Assembly complex during the impeachment process and claimed that his removal had occurred while he was outside the country.
Despite Obasa’s objections, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda insisted that his removal was final, and that Meranda continued as Speaker.
Tensions escalated on February 17, 2025, when security personnel and legislative workers clashed at the Assembly Complex over the presence of armed security officers in the chambers. Later that day, the 36 lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in Meranda and adjourned sittings indefinitely.
Obasa made a return to the Assembly on February 27, 2025, arriving with a contingent of heavily armed security personnel. This was his first appearance in the Assembly since his removal on January 13, 2025. Obasa insisted that he remained the rightful Speaker, despite protests from some lawmakers who had pledged loyalty to Meranda.
