Obasa Likely to Return as Lagos Assembly Speaker Today After GAC’s Intervention

The uncertainty surrounding the speakership of the Lagos State House of Assembly took a new turn on Monday after a marathon meeting between the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and lawmakers. The meeting, which started at 11 a.m. and continued late into the night, sought to resolve the leadership crisis and may pave the way for the return of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, while he was in the United States, leading to the election of Mojisola Meranda, a lawmaker from Apapa, as the new Speaker. However, despite assuming office last week, Meranda has yet to move into the Speaker’s official quarters, as Obasa insists he remains the rightful Speaker.

Over the weekend, reports emerged suggesting moves to reinstate Obasa, allegedly following a directive from President Bola Tinubu. This prompted the GAC, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, to summon all House members to the Lagos House, Marina, in a bid to settle the dispute. Due to the prolonged meeting, the House did not sit on Monday.

While Meranda’s camp has circulated messages claiming the GAC ruled in her favor, a reliable source told Daily Trust that Obasa is expected to reclaim the position today. The source revealed that the GAC ultimately backed Obasa out of respect for the President, and concerns over the legality of his impeachment also influenced the decision.

Another source indicated that Obasa was removed using a different mace, while the official mace—recognized as the House’s legitimate symbol of authority—remains in his possession. “From the look of things, Meranda is a goner,” the source added, suggesting that the situation will become clearer as events unfold today.