Mojisola Meranda has resigned as the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
She resigned on Monday, March 3 at the ongoing plenary session.
She said she had to make the selfless sacrifice to preserve the institution.
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Lagos and many other parts of Nigeria are now facing a possible fuel shortage as tanker drivers have halted loading fuel.
The action by the drivers is in protest of alleged harassment by officials of the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
The situation is already causing panic among residents and businesses, with long queues beginning to form at some petrol stations.
Telecommunications companies have also raised an alarm about a possible network blackout. According to the Telcos, the ongoing strike by tanker drivers could disrupt the supply of diesel, which is essential for powering telecom towers.
According to reports, tanker drivers were unable to load fuel on both Saturday and Sunday.
The National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Yusuf Othman, has accused the Lagos State Task Force and officials from the Federal Ministry of Transportation of harassing their members.
“The problem we have now is that the task force in Lagos State is towing our trucks and beating our drivers. They even damaged one of our union’s vehicles. Because of this, there was no fuel loading on Saturday and Sunday,” Othman said.
He further expressed uncertainty about whether fuel loading would resume on Monday. “I cannot say for sure if there will be any loading tomorrow (Monday). Everything depends on how the government handles the situation,” he added.
Othman also pointed out that this strike was not related to the recent ban on 60,000 trucks, but rather a separate issue involving the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
In response to the protest, the Lagos State Government insisted that it was only enforcing its e-call-up system.
The system, introduced in September 2024, is a digital platform designed to manage the movement of trucks, especially in the Lekki-Epe corridor. The aim is to reduce traffic congestion and prevent the kind of gridlock previously seen in Apapa.
Following today’s invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly by officers of the Department of State Services, plenary at the Assembly has been suspended indefinitely.
On Monday, February 17, police officers were stationed at the complex’s gate and some officers of the DSS also invaded the Assembly.
This led to a crisis with the DSS personnel clashing with some staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Crisis started after the former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached while on a trip to the United States of America. He was immediately replaced by Mojisola Meranda, his deputy.
Elected as the first female speaker, Meranda has been the Lagos Speaker since January 13, but the situation went awry following the growing rumour that Obasa was to be reinstated as Speaker.
The leadership of the House of Assembly also announced that the incident which occured at the complex and the invasion by security operatives would be investigated and findings from the proces submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Director General of the DSS
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Olohundare Moshood Jimoh as the new Commissioner of Police for Lagos State.
This decision, announced on Monday, comes as tension continues to rise in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
CP Jimoh, who was previously the Commissioner of Police at the Ports Authority, Eastern Ports, will replace Ishola Olanrewaju Olawale as Lagos State’s top police officer.
The change in police leadership comes just hours after heavily armed operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police stormed the Lagos Assembly complex.
Leading reporters reports that security forces sealed off the offices of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Clerk of the House.
In response, the Lagos Assembly convened and passed a vote of confidence in Speaker Mojisola Meranda, after which they suspended the plenary indefinitely.
The crisis follows the recent impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Obasa, who was outside the country when he was removed from office, has since challenged his impeachment in court, arguing that it was unlawful.
It is believed that the transfer of the Lagos Police Commissioner may be connected to the ongoing crisis, as the state government attempt to restore order.
According to a statement from the PSC, CP Jimoh brings a wealth of experience to his new role. A native of Kwara State, he previously served as the Force Public Relations Officer and later held key positions such as Deputy Commissioner at the Airport Police, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration, and Deputy Commissioner of General Investigation.
The South-West Renaissance Movement (SWRN) has officially kicked off its campaign to bring former Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, back into office, citing “unfinished business” and popular demand for his return.
The group, at a South-West political summit held in Lagos, also endorsed Gboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Governor of Osun State, for re-election.
National Director General of SWRN, Olabode Adeleke, stated that both Ambode and Oyetola are leaders who left behind significant legacy projects during their time in office and remain highly regarded by the people of the South-West.
Focusing on Ambode, Adeleke emphasized what he described as the unfair treatment the former governor received when seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination for a second term.
“These two fine gentlemen may not have been treated right, especially in Lagos where Ambode was not given fair treatment in his quest to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the primaries to run for a second term,” Adeleke said.
The group argued that Ambode’s contributions to improving lives in Lagos across various sectors are still deeply appreciated, and his “beautiful signature” is evident in numerous legacy projects throughout the state.
The SWRN insisted that Ambode deserves the opportunity to complete the work he started.
The crisis surrounding the removal of former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has deepened as the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos reportedly defied President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reinstate him.
Following a deadlocked meeting with lawmakers, GAC leaders visited Tinubu to brief him on the unresolved leadership tussle.
Despite the president’s alleged order for Obasa’s reinstatement, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda remains the substantive speaker, backed by a majority of lawmakers.
On January 13, 2025, 32 out of 40 Assembly members impeached Obasa in absentia over allegations of financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness.
His removal, however, has sparked a power struggle within the APC, with key figures in Tinubu’s camp reportedly opposing the decision.
The GAC, led by Pa Tajudeen Olusi, convened an emergency meeting on Monday at Lagos House, Marina, to address the crisis.
Lawmakers from Lagos West, who were expected to push for a new speaker to balance the state’s political structure, instead threw their full support behind Meranda, rejecting efforts to remove her.
Sources revealed to Vanguard that Tinubu, displeased with the outcome, had instructed the GAC to intervene and ensure Obasa’s return as a temporary measure before electing a new speaker.
However, conservative members within the GAC, led by Olusi, resisted the directive, causing further divisions within the ruling party.
Amid rising tensions, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been accused of working behind the scenes to oppose Obasa’s reinstatement, despite appearing neutral in public.
Reports suggest that he encouraged lawmakers to stand firm against Obasa’s return, fueling speculation about a shifting power dynamic in Lagos politics.
With the crisis unresolved, the GAC has now taken the matter to Abuja for further deliberation, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown.
About four soldiers are feared dead and others injured following an incident in the Morocco area of Shomolu, Lagos.
The incident took place during morning physical training on Friday when a suspected drunk driver rammed his vehicle into a group of soldiers attached to the Myoung Barracks in Yaba, Lagos State.
A soldier recounted, “There’s blood everywhere. I was spared because I was at the back.”
The soldier, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the vehicle was occupied by three young men suspected to be internet fraudsters, commonly known as ‘Yahoo Boys.’
According to the soldier, the vehicle rammed into the soldiers near the Myoung Barracks Army Sports Camp. The military officer said one of the occupants fled the scene immediately. The remaining two suspects were apprehended by the soldiers and beaten.
Their vehicle has been reportedly vandalized.
According to @CaesarisOP on X: “Armies were doing their morning marching parade this morning at Shomolu (Morocco), Lagos.
“Some boys were over speeding killed 4 military personnel.
“I wasn’t allowed to take pics cause the area was restricted.
“The accident aren’t looking nice at all”
The Lagos political scene is buzzing as talks about Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s successor begin to surface.
With 2027 still a few years away, names like deputy governor; Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos East senator; Tokunbo Abiru, and Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila and the President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, are quietly entering discussions.
ThisDay reports that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has also joined the fray.
Then there is Obasa, the longest-serving Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He commands immense grassroots support and is known for his resilience in overcoming political challenges.
“Obasa’s strong ties to local communities particularly make him a force to reckon with, not to mention his alignment with the Mandate Group further strengthens his position,” a report by the newspaper noted.
Making reference to Obasda’s strong political standing in the state, the report added: “Abiru’s corporate ties and Gbajabiamila’s national profile add intrigue to the mix. But neither’s grassroots influence seems solid enough for them to contest against Hamzat or Obasa.”
The Lagos State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the chairman of the Alimosho local government area, Jelili Sulaimon.
This was announced during the House of Assembly’s plenary session on Monday, October 7.
The lawmakers resolved that the vice chairman of the council, Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, should take over the running of its affairs.
The House further instructed the management of the council, including the manager and treasurer, to recognize the authority of the vice chairman and provide him with all the support needed for effective work.
The chairman was suspended in a unanimous vote by the lawmakers due to alleged non-compliance, defiance, and unyielding attitude toward the legislative House.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, sponsored the motion.
Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, while supporting the call for Jelili’s suspension, added that the action would make other local government chairmen sit well.
“The Alimosho council chairman does not follow procurement processes or the budget. There has been a lot of misconduct from him and I support that the chairman be suspended indefinitely,” he said.
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested one Ujunwa Una ‘f’ and Chinelo Igbechionwu ‘f’ for conspiracy and child sales.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers from Ojodu Division stationed at Berger bus-stop, an entry point into Lagos State, whom had earlier been alerted about the suspects by a Good Samaritan. The suspects were found with two newborn baby girls, approximately six-days old, while traveling from Abia State on September 9, 2024.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were en route to deliver the babies to one nurse in Lagos State whom the mother of the babies promised to link them up with only after they had arrived Lagos.
Upon questioning, the suspects confessed to the crime, stating that they were paid the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦150,000) for transportation of the babies to Lagos. The suspects added that the mother of the babies sold the babies because she could not give them proper care.
The case was transferred to the Gender Unit of the Command from where the newborns were placed in the custody of a motherless babies home for proper care and medical evaluation.
While investigation is ongoing to arrest other conspirators, the arrested suspects were arraigned on Thursday, September 19, 2024.