Game of thrones plays out in Lagos Assembly as Obasa reclaims speakership position

Mudashiru Obasa has officially reclaimed his throne as the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly.

Obasa was reinstated on Monday afternoon following the shocking resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down from the role with immediate effect.

Obasa’s re-election followed the nomination of a former Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency 1.

Obasa subsequently took the oath of office as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly seven weeks after his removal.

He was first elected into the House in 2007. He has been in the chamber since then. He emerged as a speaker in June 2015 before his removal in January 2025.

The leadership crisis in the Assembly became full-blown on January 13, 2025, when Obasa was removed as Lagos speaker by more than two-thirds of the 40-member house, who voted him out over alleged misconduct and sundry offenses.

Obasa’s then-deputy, Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

On January 25, 2025, Obasa vehemently rejected his removal and insisted that he remained the speaker until the right thing had been done. He faulted the militarisation of the assembly complex during the impeachment process. He also claimed his removal as speaker took place in his absence — when he was out of Nigeria.

However, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda insisted that Obasa’s removal was final and that Meranda remained the speaker of the House.

On February 17, 2025, tempers flared at the Assembly Complex when security agents and some legislative workers clashed over the presence of the former in the hallowed chambers. Thereafter, thirty-six of the lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in an emotional Meranda and adjourned sitting indefinitely.

On February 27, 2025, Obasa showed up at the Assembly Complex and was chaperoned by a retinue of armed, stern-looking uniformed security operatives as he walked into the hallowed chambers. Last Thursday’s appearance was Obasa’s first in the Assembly since his removal as Lagos speaker on Monday, January 13, 2025.

Obasa insisted that he remained the speaker of the House despite protests by his colleagues who rejected his leadership and pledged loyalty to Meranda.

However, Obasa returned to his position on Monday, 3rd of March, 2025 amid tears and apparent sadness of those loyal to Meranda.

Speaking after taking back his throne, Obasa said: “Today is not the day for speech making but to appreciate our colleagues who have put a lot into this gathering today.

“I want to thank our elders, Bisi Akande, Olusegun Osoba, GAC members, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Obafemi Hamzat and other party leaders for their support.

“We have resolved and are determined to serve and protect the interest of Lagosians.

“What is happening today shows that the house is mature and has internal mechanism to resolve issues.

“Our major responsibility is to represent Lagosians. This house is a house of integrity.”

Obasa, afterwards, adjourned the plenary.