Obasa Defies Tinubu’s Intervention, Continues Lawsuit Against Meranda, Lagos Lawmakers

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has continued to pursue his lawsuit against former Speaker Mojisola Meranda and other lawmakers, despite the intervention of President Bola Tinubu. Obasa’s decision has caused confusion among the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, who had expected the matter to be resolved after Tinubu’s involvement.

According to sources, party leaders are uncertain about why Obasa remains in court, especially since Meranda had accepted the party’s resolution and stepped aside. A party insider noted that Meranda did not pursue the speakership as a “do-or-die” affair and willingly stepped down when instructed.

Obasa’s legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), has confirmed that the case is still pending before the Lagos State High Court, with a judgment expected soon. Fashanu dismissed any possibility of Obasa withdrawing the case, stating that all legal arguments had been concluded and the court would communicate its judgment in due course.

Meanwhile, former Lagos APC chairman and member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Otunba Henry Ajomale, expressed confidence that the case would soon be dropped. He assured that Tinubu’s intervention had restored order and hinted that a resolution might be reached in the Assembly’s next sitting.

The lawsuit is a result of the leadership crisis that led to Obasa’s removal on January 13, 2025, and the subsequent election of Meranda as the first female Speaker of the House. However, intense political maneuvering followed, leading to Obasa’s reinstatement after 49 days, with the intervention of the APC’s national leadership and Tinubu.

On March 12, all 40 lawmakers met with Tinubu in Abuja, where he reportedly brokered peace between Obasa and Meranda. Despite this, the Assembly has remained inactive, having failed to reconvene since March 3, raising concerns over a legislative standstill in Lagos.