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BREAKING: Obasa returns as Lagos Assembly Speaker

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa has returned as the speaker as Lagos State House of Assembly.

The plenary is currently ongoing at the assembly chmabers.

Hon. Noheem Adams of Eti Osa Constituency 1 nominated Obasa.

His nomination was seconded by Hon. Nureni Akinsaya of Mushin constituency.

Recall the Lagos Assembly crisis began after 32 lawmakers removed Obasa and ex-Clerk Olalekan Onafeko in January.

However on Monday, March 3, Meranda resigned as speaker.

Meranda was nominated and sworn-in as the deputy speaker of the house.

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BREAKING: Meranda sworn in as Deputy Speaker after resignation as Speaker

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Mojisola Meranda, has been sworn in as the Deputy Speaker of the assembly.

She was immediately sworn-in following her nomination.

Meranda stepped down amid the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State Assembly.

But the crisis remain unresolved as Obasa’s removal divided the Assembly, and party’s leadership in the state.

Details later…

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BREAKING: Obasa storms Lagos assembly, joins lawmakers’ meeting outside chamber with Meranda

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Embattled ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Monday stormed the state House of Assembly.

Obasa joined some lawmakers in a meeting held outside the chamber of the Assembly.

Mojisola Meranda, incumbent Speaker of the assembly, attended the meeting.

The meeting subsequently broke into two groups of at least 10 lawmakers each.

Recall that crisis started when lawmakers impeached Obasa while he was away in the United States, US, in January.

Upon his return, Obasa described his removal as unconstitutional because it never followed due process.

However, Obasa stormed the assembly last week and forcefully broke into the office the Speaker.

He also presided over plenary while declaring that he was never removed as Speaker.

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JUST IN: Obasa arrives Lagos House of Assembly complex amid rumours of reinstatement

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has arrived at the Assembly complex.

The development comes hours after the withdrawal of security details from the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, fueling speculation about a possible reinstatement.

Obasa’s arrival is the latest twist in the ongoing leadership crisis at the Assembly.

He was impeached on January 13, 2025, and has since been challenging his removal in court, arguing that the impeachment process was unconstitutional.

Recently, Obasa filed a lawsuit seeking his immediate reinstatement as Speaker, naming Meranda and the Assembly as defendants. Additionally, his security details were restored earlier today.

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JUST IN: Pressure mounts on Mojisola Meranda to resign as Lagos Assembly Speaker

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, may tender her resignation today, sources have revealed.

According to reports, Meranda is under immense pressure to pave the way for Mudashiru Obasa’s reinstatement.

This development comes as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly stormed the Assembly complex, sealing off her office.

Armed security personnel have also taken over the premises and surrounding areas in Alausa, Ikeja.

The controversial impeachment of former Speaker Obasa’s removal has continued to spark tension within the House. Obasa has consistently rejected his impeachment, insisting it was unlawful.

According to Daily Trust, President Bola Tinubu’s intervention could pave the way for Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker.

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Lagos Assembly crisis: President Tinubu’s orders ignored as Meranda retains Speakership

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

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.

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Impeachment: Obasa fights back, insists on due process

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The embattled and ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has maintained that his removal as Speaker was unconstitutional, saying that the due process was not followed.

Recall that Obasa was removed by 35 out of the 40 members of the assembly on January 13, 2025 over allegations of misconduct and mismanagement of funds and replaced with his former Deputy, Mojisola Lasbat-Meranda.

I present news like rap music to keep young people informed – Joshua Gapsiso0:00 / 0:00

Obasa, spoke on Saturday amid cheers from members of Mandate Movement and politicians from some local governments in the state at the official residence of the Lagos Speaker in GRA, Ikeja.

The former speaker stressed that the allegations made against him by the lawmakers could not be substantiated, and that he is the most experienced lawmaker in the assembly having been elected six times since 2003.

“I thank you for your support and dedication. I will take this advantage to debunk the allegations that were circulated and raised about me

“Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16 billion? It is not the wall of Jericho or the wall that demarcated the United States of America and Mexico.

“How can they say we bought one Hilux bus for N1billion each and that we bought 40 pieces for N40 billion. Talking about Thanksgiving, they should compare the one they said we spent N200 million on and the one organised by the state government.

“I am not disturbed or perturbed and I am not afraid. I will debunk all the allegations levelled against me by the House.

“I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades and I am the longest serving lawmaker in the House,” he said.

The former speaker added that it was important that the due process ought to have been followed before his removal.

According to Obasa, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police led police officers to invade the state assembly on the day of the removal, adding that over 200 policemen also invaded his private residence in Agege and blocked the gate, while they prevented members of his family from going out of the house.

“I am not afraid of being removed, after all it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.

“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.

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JUST IN: New Lagos Speaker Visits Governor Sanwo-Olu

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The newly sworn-in Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has paid a visit to the residence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Leading reporters reports that the leader of the state legislature also had a meeting with members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), a powerful group that wields considerable influence in Lagos State’s politics.

According to Meranda, who spoke briefly to the press after the meeting, the purpose of the visit was to seek the blessings of the GAC leaders and to brief them on the events that transpired at the House of Assembly on Monday.

“We are here to brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday, to seek their blessings, and which we have gotten,” Meranda said.

The meeting, which lasted for several hours, was still ongoing, with members of the GAC continuing their discussions at the Lagos House.

Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has denied any involvement in the impeachment of the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. Through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu refuted claims suggesting his role in Obasa’s removal, labelling it a purely legislative matter.

“There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that the governor influenced the impeachment. It was strictly a decision made by the lawmakers,” Akosile told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday. He added that Governor Sanwo-Olu is focused on addressing the needs of over 20 million Lagosians and that the events that transpired in the Assembly were entirely within the prerogative of the legislators.

Obasa, who represented Agege 1 Constituency and served as Speaker since 2015, was removed during an emergency plenary session on Monday.

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“I am not involved in Obasa’s impeachment” Gov Sanwo-olu

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has denied any involvement in the impeachment of the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu refuted claims suggesting his role in Obasa’s removal, labelling it a purely legislative matter.

“There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that the governor influenced the impeachment. It was strictly a decision made by the lawmakers,” Akosile told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

He added, “Governor Sanwo-Olu is focused on addressing the needs of over 20 million Lagosians. What transpired in the Assembly was entirely within the prerogative of the legislators. Like everyone else, the governor witnessed the proceedings through the media.”

Obasa, who represented Agege 1 Constituency and served as Speaker since 2015, was removed during an emergency plenary session on Monday. Thirty-two out of the 40 members voted him out, citing alleged gross misconduct.

Deputy Speaker Mrs. Mojisola Meranda (APC-Apapa 1) was immediately sworn in as the new Speaker, with Mr. Fatai Adebola (APC-Ibeju Lekki 1) elected as Deputy Speaker.

The Assembly also suspended its Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, indefinitely and dissolved all principal positions and standing committees.

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JUST IN: Lagos lawmakers impeach Speaker Obasa amid multibillion-naira fraud allegations

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, accusing him of multiple statutory and financial infractions.

Mr Obasa was subsequently replaced by his deputy Lasbat Meranda. Mrs Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was also a former chief whip of the House.

The removal came days after The Gazette reported how Mr Obasa oversaw the withdrawal of N43.5 billion for back up vehicles for lawmakers, as well as other controversial activities.

Peoples Gazette understands that Mr Obasa was in Atlanta when he was impeached.

Mr Obasa, 52, was first elected Speaker on June 8, 2015, resuming office alongside former one-term governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Repeated charges of fraud and political thuggery have marked his speakership. In 2020, The Gazette published a series of investigations detailing how Mr Obasa diverted Lagos funds to his personal firms and bank accounts. Sahara Reporters at the time also uncovered Mr Obasa’s assets across Lagos.

He was invited to be questioned by the EFCC after the anti-graft office became overwhelmed by media reports of Mr Obasa’s mismanagement. He denied all allegations, and no charges were filed after he met with detectives.

Repeated charges of fraud and political thuggery have marked his speakership. In 2020, The Gazette published a series of investigations detailing how Mr Obasa diverted Lagos funds to his personal firms and bank accounts. Sahara Reporters at the time also uncovered Mr Obasa’s assets across Lagos.

He was invited to be questioned by the EFCC after the anti-graft office became overwhelmed by media reports of Mr Obasa’s mismanagement. He denied all allegations, and no charges were filed after he met with detectives.

Details shortly…..

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