Lagos Assembly Crisis: Obasa, Meranda Out as Tinubu Reportedly Endorses New Leadership

President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have confirmed the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, alongside his deputy now Speaker, Mojisola Meranda. The decision comes as part of efforts to resolve the leadership crisis that has gripped the legislative body in recent weeks.

Sources at the Presidential Villa disclosed that Tinubu held extensive consultations with key APC figures, including former APC National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, and a former Lagos State commissioner. A respected nonagenarian from the South-West also met with the president, advocating for a resolution to the Assembly crisis as a birthday request.

During multiple discussions, Tinubu and his advisers examined the potential consequences of allowing the crisis to persist. It was determined that Obasa’s removal was irreversible, aligning with legislative procedures governing the election and removal of a Speaker. Reports indicated that numerous stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with Obasa’s leadership, highlighting concerns about his tenure and the overwhelming opposition from 37 of his 39 colleagues. Political leaders in Lagos also reportedly withdrew their support, making any attempt to reinstate him politically unviable.

Recognizing the broader political implications, the decision was made to allow Obasa a dignified exit by framing his removal as a resignation, mirroring the approach taken with former Deputy Speaker Hon. Funmi Tejuosho. This adjustment aimed to preserve his political career while ensuring stability within the Lagos Assembly.

Attention then shifted to the status of the current Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda. Although Tinubu was inclined to support the rise of women in Lagos politics, her position became untenable due to regional power considerations. With the Governor hailing from Lagos Central and the Deputy Governor from Lagos East, political balance necessitated that the Speakership be allocated to Lagos West, the state’s largest senatorial district. Tinubu explored the possibility of appointing another female lawmaker from Lagos West, but the only available candidate was a first-term legislator from the Labour Party, rendering her selection impractical within the APC-dominated Assembly.

Consequently, it was agreed that Meranda would also step down to facilitate the appointment of a Speaker from Lagos West, ensuring equitable representation across all three senatorial districts. This restructuring aligns with the broader goal of maintaining political stability in Lagos and reinforcing the democratic principles of balanced governance.

Insiders refuted claims that Tinubu was particularly invested in Obasa’s fate, emphasizing that his removal was a consequence of his failure to maintain the confidence of his colleagues. Having served as Speaker for over nine years under Tinubu’s political influence, Obasa was deemed to have received sufficient political support over time.

However, Tinubu was reportedly displeased with the manner in which Obasa’s removal unfolded, as it took him by surprise despite his role as the party’s national leader and the country’s Commander-in-Chief. This lack of prior notification was viewed as politically inconsiderate. Nevertheless, after assessing the situation, Tinubu prioritized stability and endorsed the solutions devised by party leaders to move beyond the crisis.