Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, who was impeached as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 13, 2025, is now on track to reclaim his position amid intense political maneuvering and security developments.
Reports indicate that Obasa’s security details have been restored, while those assigned to Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda—his former deputy and the current Speaker—have been withdrawn, signaling a major shift in the Assembly's power dynamics.
Despite this, Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, has not yet officially resigned. However, her tenure appears to be hanging by a thread following high-level negotiations and interventions by key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Several prominent APC figures played a crucial role in mediating the leadership crisis, including former APC National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Osun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Commissioner for Justice Dr. Muiz Banire, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), and numerous lawmakers.
During a closed-door meeting, Meranda was reportedly urged to step down in order to facilitate Obasa’s reinstatement. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that senior APC leaders deemed Obasa’s impeachment illegal and directed lawmakers to reinstate him as Speaker.
“In truth, what they said was that Obasa’s removal was illegal, and the lawmakers were directed at the meeting to go and return him,” an anonymous source told Daily Trust.
As of now, the exact date for the Lagos State House of Assembly's reconvening to officially reinstate Obasa remains uncertain. However, with political forces aligning in his favor, his return to power seems increasingly inevitable.
Two weeks ago, Meranda indefinitely adjourned plenary following a heated session that turned chaotic. The situation escalated when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) intervened to restore order, further complicating the ongoing leadership tussle.
With the latest developments, all eyes are now on the Lagos State House of Assembly as the political drama continues to unfold, potentially leading to the reinstatement of Obasa as Speaker.