Mudashiru Obasa, the embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has announced his return to office, insisting that he remains the legitimate leader of the parliament.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa said on Thursday after entering the assembly complex with police and State Security Service (SSS) operatives for the first time since his removal on January 13.
The Lagos Assembly has been in turmoil since Obasa was removed and replaced by Mojisola Meranda. His removal was backed by more than 90% of lawmakers, who accused him of poor leadership, frequent lateness to plenary sessions, high-handedness, and intimidation of fellow legislators. He was also accused of disregarding both his colleagues and the executive, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
However, on Thursday, Obasa made a bold move to reclaim his position. At around noon, he arrived at the assembly complex, entered the Speaker’s office, and resumed work under heavy security. His return came just hours after security aides assigned to Meranda were withdrawn, leaving her without official protection.
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In an effort to resolve the leadership crisis, prominent figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former governors Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), Aremo Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), held a series of meetings with key stakeholders. The intervention was reportedly on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who sought to end the instability in the Lagos Assembly.
Following these meetings, reports emerged that both Obasa and Meranda might be asked to step aside for another lawmaker to take over the leadership of the House.
A member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Chief Muraina Taiwo, confirmed that the APC leaders were considering one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West as a possible replacement.