The crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly may soon be resolved as key figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC) move to end the leadership struggle. Former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and current Speaker Mojisola Meranda are expected to step down to pave the way for a new leader, sources have revealed.
The development follows the intervention of prominent APC leaders, including former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba, and former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. The delegation, acting on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, has been working to ease the political tension that has gripped the Assembly.
Power Struggle in the Lagos Assembly
The crisis began on January 13, 2025, when 36 lawmakers voted to impeach Obasa and replace him with Meranda, who was then the deputy speaker. Lawmakers accused Obasa of poor leadership, lateness to legislative sessions, high-handedness, disregard for colleagues and the governor, abuse of office, intimidation, and misappropriation of funds.
Obasa, who was in the United States at the time of his removal, has rejected the impeachment and insists he remains the speaker.
“My status in the house? I strongly believe I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it,” Obasa told journalists on January 25.
APC Leaders Push for Compromise
On Sunday, Ambode, Osoba, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) met at the Governor’s Lodge in Marina to discuss a political solution. The meeting, which lasted until 7 p.m., included discussions with lawmakers.
A GAC member, Chief Muraina Taiwo, confirmed that the APC leadership is considering a new speaker from Lagos West.
“The issue will die down soon. Between now and the middle of next week, everything will become clearer. The APC leaders, including Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba, came to mediate,” Taiwo said.
“They will go back to Abuja to brief our leader (Tinubu) on their findings. The plan is for Obasa to step down and for Meranda to also step down, so another lawmaker can be chosen. Seven names will be submitted for consideration, and the final decision will be made by our leader.”
Party leaders have reportedly decided against selecting a speaker from Lagos Central to avoid a situation where both the governor and the speaker hail from the same senatorial district.
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Setonji Emerging as a Front-Runner
While the list of the seven lawmakers being considered remains undisclosed, sources say David Setonji from Badagry is a strong contender due to his experience and ranking status.
“Setonji from Badagry is being considered. He is one of the few who is not a first-timer among the lawmakers from Lagos West,” a source within the APC revealed.
Setonji, who represents Badagry Constituency II, has been in the House since 2015. He currently serves as Chief Whip and previously held the position of Deputy Chief Whip.
Legal Battles and Political Agreements
Obasa has challenged his removal in court, arguing that lawmakers acted improperly by impeaching him while the Assembly was in recess. However, party leaders are reportedly pushing for a political settlement, which includes Obasa withdrawing his lawsuit.
A top APC source disclosed that both Obasa and Meranda would step down as part of the agreement.
“Meranda will step down, and Obasa will also step down. They will now pick someone else from Lagos West. The lawmakers seem to have agreed, otherwise, there won’t be peace. Part of the understanding is that Obasa will withdraw the lawsuit against the Assembly and Meranda,” the source said.
The source further noted that most lawmakers opposed to Obasa believe they have already won the battle and are ready to move forward.
“Those who don’t want Obasa feel that they have won because he will never be speaker again. So there’s nothing left to fight for. As for Meranda, she was only a temporary choice. She isn’t power-hungry, so stepping down won’t be an issue. An agreement should be reached in the next week,” he added.
GAC Confirms Party Mediation
Confirming the party’s role in the mediation, GAC Chairman Chief Tajudeen Olusi stated that discussions were ongoing.
“The party is mediating. At the appropriate time, we will announce the outcome. It is part of the party’s responsibility to listen to all sides and find a resolution,” Olusi said.
With negotiations advancing and a new speaker likely to be chosen from Lagos West, the Lagos State House of Assembly may soon put the leadership crisis behind it.