A wave of resignations and reshuffling swept through the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, marking a dramatic turn in the ongoing leadership crisis. Mojisola Meranda, the first female Speaker of the Assembly, resigned from her position, setting the stage for a series of shifts in leadership.
Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency I, made the announcement during the plenary session, after which she was immediately re-elected as Deputy Speaker. Lawmakers praised her leadership, acknowledging her role in restoring peace to the Assembly, as well as her strength and humility in adhering to the rules and regulations of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Her resignation followed a reported meeting with senior APC members in the state aimed at resolving the leadership crisis that has plagued the Assembly for the past seven weeks. Shortly after, Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker from Agege Constituency I, was re-elected to his previous position.
Obasa, who had been removed in January 2025 following allegations of misconduct, was nominated by former Majority Leader Noheem Adams of Eti-Osa Constituency I. Obasa, who had served as Speaker since 2015 before his ouster, took the oath of office once again, marking a significant moment in the Assembly’s turbulent history.
In a related move, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai of Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I also resigned from his position. Fatai explained that his resignation was in the best interest of the Assembly, and he was promptly re-elected as Chief Whip. Setonji David, who represents Badagry Constituency II and had served as Chief Whip, also stepped down, only to be re-elected as Deputy Chief Whip. Additionally, Okanlawon Sanni, a member from Kosofe Constituency I, resigned as Deputy Chief Whip.
The crisis within the Assembly began to escalate on January 13, 2025, when Obasa was removed by over two-thirds of the 40-member House on charges of misconduct. Meranda, his deputy at the time, was swiftly elected as the new Speaker, making history as the first female to hold the position in the state.
However, Obasa refused to accept his removal, insisting that he remained Speaker until the proper procedures were followed. He criticized the militarization of the Assembly complex during his impeachment and claimed that the decision was made in his absence while he was out of the country.
Despite Obasa’s protests, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda upheld her election and insisted that her position as Speaker was final. Tensions flared on February 17, 2025, when security agents clashed with legislative workers in the Assembly complex. Following the confrontation, Meranda received a vote of confidence from the majority of the lawmakers, and the House adjourned indefinitely.
On February 27, 2025, Obasa made a dramatic return to the Assembly complex, accompanied by armed security personnel. His appearance marked his first since being removed as Speaker, and he maintained that he was still the rightful Speaker, despite widespread rejection from his colleagues who pledged loyalty to Meranda.
The events on Monday serve as the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which continues to grapple with deep divisions and a volatile leadership struggle.
