Emotions ran high at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday as lawmakers and staff wept openly following the resignation of the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, paving the way for the reinstatement of the previously impeached Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, served in the role for just 49 days before stepping down in deference to party supremacy.
Her resignation was the climax of a prolonged leadership crisis that had gripped the House since January 13, when Obasa was removed as Speaker.
During the plenary session, lawmakers took turns to eulogise Meranda’s leadership style, describing her brief tenure as a period of stability, progress, and democratic fairness.
Many expressed disappointment over the reversal of the leadership structure, calling it a return to autocratic rule in the Assembly.
Moving a motion under matters of public importance, Hon. Aro Moshood praised Meranda’s leadership, saying, “Madam Speaker, under your leadership, we have witnessed a new focus and passion. You have been a source of inspiration to us.”
Before her resignation, Meranda and Obasa had met with key political figures, including Lagos State Attorney General Lawal Pedro and Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
The decision to reinstate Obasa reportedly stemmed from a high-level intervention by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which met with lawmakers on Sunday.
In her resignation speech, Meranda said she made the decision as a personal sacrifice to protect the integrity of the House.
“I hereby give notice of my decision to resign effective March 3, 2025, after carefully considering the recent turmoil and the need to protect democracy. I am not a quitter.
“ I decided to safeguard the institution from conflict and embarrassment. The party is supreme, and therefore, I take a bow and step down as Speaker,” she said.
Following her resignation, Meranda was reappointed as Deputy Speaker, while Obasa retook the oath of office as Speaker.
The leadership reshuffle also saw Hon. Sanni Okanlawon stepping down as Deputy Chief Whip and Hon. Setonji David resigning as Chief Whip.
In the new arrangement, Hon. David was reelected as Deputy Chief Whip, while Hon. Richard Kasunmu and Hon. Adewale Temitope retained their positions as Deputy Majority Leader and Majority Leader, respectively.
A visibly humbled Obasa, in his remarks, commended APC leaders for resolving the crisis amicably, thanking former Osun State Governors Bisi Akande and Olusegun Osoba, as well as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for their roles in brokering peace.
“The House is capable, mature, and has internal mechanisms to resolve issues,” Obasa said.
However, sources within the Assembly hinted that tensions remain unresolved despite the official reconciliation. Some lawmakers believe the reinstatement of Obasa was only a temporary fix and that further leadership changes could occur soon.
One lawmaker, speaking, anonymously, claimed there was an initial plan for Obasa to also step down within days, allowing a new Speaker from Lagos West to emerge.
“Anything short of this arrangement is a waste of party leaders’ efforts. One person cannot be superior to the 35 other lawmakers. It will not be business as usual again in this Assembly,” the source said.
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