By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
The political turbulence in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken another dramatic turn as Mudashiru Obasa was reinstated as Speaker on Monday, following the sudden resignation of Mojisola Meranda.
This development comes barely seven weeks after Obasa’s removal, raising fresh questions about the true state of leadership within the Assembly.
Obasa, representing Agege Constituency I, reclaimed the position in what appeared to be a carefully orchestrated political maneuver. His return was facilitated by the nomination of Noheem Adams, a former Majority Leader representing Eti-Osa Constituency I, who played a key role in the process. Obasa subsequently took the oath of office, resuming the position he had held from June 2015 until his controversial ousting in January 2025.
However, the dust is far from settling. The Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the influential political body in Lagos, has reportedly insisted that Obasa will not remain in office for long. According to an insider at a high-level meeting on Sunday, Meranda’s resignation was part of a strategic plan to grant Obasa a “soft landing” before he officially steps down on Wednesday.
The source revealed that lawmakers remain resolute in their decision to replace Obasa, arguing that the House must elect a new Speaker by midweek. The insistence on choosing a leader from Lagos West is seen as an effort to balance power among the state’s three senatorial districts.
While Obasa’s camp may celebrate his return as a political victory, the underlying discontent within the Assembly tells a different story. The murmurs of opposition among lawmakers signal that his reinstatement might be nothing more than a temporary reprieve before his eventual exit. The deep divisions within the House, coupled with the GAC’s stance, indicate that Lagos lawmakers are determined to move on from Obasa’s leadership.
As Wednesday looms, all eyes are on the Lagos Assembly. Will Obasa defy the odds and consolidate his hold on power, or is this truly the final chapter of his leadership in the state legislature? Whatever the outcome, the crisis underscores a larger battle for control within Lagos’ political structure—one that is far from over.