Mudashiru Obasa, Lagos Assembly Speaker
Ousted Speaker Obasa Holds Four-Member Plenary, Lawmakers Insist He’s Impeached
Mudashiru Obasa, the embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, presided over a plenary session on Thursday with only about four lawmakers in attendance. The session took place after security operatives allegedly forced open the Chamber’s doors, allowing Obasa and his loyalists access to his office and the Assembly chamber.
The ongoing crisis in the Lagos Assembly stems from Obasa’s removal on January 13, when 36 out of 40 lawmakers voted to oust him. Following his removal, Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new substantive Speaker.
In a show of loyalty to Meranda, 36 lawmakers boycotted Thursday’s plenary session. Meanwhile, Obasa and a handful of lawmakers held their own session inside the Chamber.
Outside the premises, other lawmakers were seen discussing the situation, later gathering at the Assembly’s garden to reaffirm their February 17 vote of confidence in Meranda.
This move came despite Obasa’s return, which was reportedly facilitated by armed men and suspected political thugs.
A lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the Assembly would not recognize Obasa’s leadership.
“He was not elected as Speaker by his constituency. For nearly a decade, we endured his authoritarian style of leadership. Enough is enough, and we are not backing down,” the lawmaker stated.
Among those seen accompanying Obasa into the Assembly complex were Ayinde Akinsanya (Mushin Constituency I) and Noheem Adams (Mushin Constituency II).
The situation remains tense as the Assembly grapples with internal divisions and leadership disputes.
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