Lagos Assembly Crisis: Meranda Breaks Silence on Obasa’s Dramatic Return

The political tension in the Lagos State House of Assembly escalated on Thursday as former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to the chamber, insisting he remains the rightful leader. His successor, Mojisola Meranda, has described his actions as a “show of shame.”

Obasa, who was removed by 36 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, arrived at the Assembly complex around 9 a.m., accompanied by security officials. He proceeded to the Speaker’s office, where he held a session with four lawmakers loyal to him, despite the absence of the majority of the 40-member Assembly.

Declaring his removal “null and void,” Obasa maintained that he was still the Speaker, further deepening the crisis within the House.

Reacting to the development, Meranda criticized his actions, emphasizing that his entry into her office was an invasion. While acknowledging his continued membership in the Assembly, she questioned the legitimacy of his session with only a handful of lawmakers.

“The sitting with just three or four lawmakers is a show of shame,” she said. “In our job, we have numbers that must form a quorum. If you’re sitting with just a few lawmakers, then you’re only doing theatre.”

She assured the public that legal proceedings would determine the next steps and that an official notification would be issued regarding the next Assembly sitting.