The ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly took a dramatic turn on Thursday as former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa forcefully resumed office, despite his removal on January 13, 2025.
Obasa arrived at the Assembly complex around 11:30 AM, accompanied by heavily armed security personnel, creating a tense atmosphere.
His return was unexpected, particularly as the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was absent at the time.
Although the Assembly is currently on an indefinite recess, reports indicate that Obasa gained access to the Speaker’s office by force.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa declared, insisting on his position despite his ouster.
His return comes in the wake of the controversial withdrawal of security personnel assigned to Speaker Meranda, reportedly on the orders of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
An aide to Meranda confirmed the development, stating that police officers and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) were withdrawn, leaving her “exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis.”
The aide further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene and prevent any potential breakdown of law and order.
The crisis deepened on Wednesday when Olalekan Onafeko, the former Clerk of the House who was suspended alongside Obasa, attempted to resume his duties but was denied entry by security personnel.
Onafeko, who arrived with his lawyer and security detail, was turned away amid jeers from Assembly staff.
A viral video captured the moment, while the Assembly management issued a statement condemning his “unauthorised entry.”
The leadership turmoil stems from the January 13 vote that saw 32 out of 40 Assembly members remove Obasa from office, citing “poor leadership style, perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and plenary, high-handedness and disregard for colleague lawmakers and the executive.”
Following his removal, Meranda was elected as Speaker.
Despite interventions from President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), efforts to resolve the crisis have yielded little success.
High-profile meetings, involving APC stalwarts such as former governors Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, were held over the weekend in an attempt to broker peace.
Reports suggest that both Obasa and Meranda may be asked to step aside to allow a new Speaker to emerge, with a member of the Lagos West caucus said to be the frontrunner for the position.
Segun Ajiboye, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Speaker Meranda, confirmed Obasa’s return to the Assembly complex and accused him of “breaking into the office.”
As tensions escalate, calls for immediate action to restore order have intensified.
Chief Muraina Taiwo, a member of the GAC, disclosed that the party is now considering one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West as a possible consensus candidate for the Speakership.
