Power Struggle In Lagos! Meranda Fights Back, GAC Condemns Lawmakers Over Obasa’s Removal

Power Struggle In Lagos! Meranda Fights Back, GAC Condemns Lawmakers Over Obasa’s Removal

The crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly has escalated as embattled Speaker Mojisola Meranda maintains that she remains the legitimate Speaker despite Mudashiru Obasa’s dramatic return to the Assembly complex.…….READ MORE 

Speaking through her Special Adviser on Information, Victor Ganzallo, on Sunday, Meranda downplayed Obasa’s occupation of the Speaker’s office, insisting that it does not undermine her authority or ability to carry out her duties.

Obasa, who was removed as Speaker on January 13, 2025, staged a dramatic return to the Assembly complex last Thursday, arriving with security operatives. Around 9 a.m., he reportedly took over the Speaker’s office and proceeded to hold a plenary session with only four lawmakers, an action swiftly rejected by 35 other members of the House.

Lawmakers had removed Obasa over allegations of abuse of office, financial misappropriation, and misconduct, triggering a leadership battle that has only intensified. However, Obasa insists that his removal was illegal and unconstitutional, vowing to reclaim his position.

Reacting to Obasa’s move, Meranda strongly condemned his attempt to reclaim the seat, calling it a “show of shame.”

“Obasa is still a member of the Assembly, so he has the right to be present. However, breaking into my office is unacceptable,” Meranda said after a court session in Ikeja.

On Obasa’s plenary session with only four lawmakers, she remarked:
“That was nothing more than a staged drama. Our legislative process requires a quorum. Holding a session with just a handful of lawmakers is a mockery of the system.”

Despite Obasa taking over the Speaker’s office, Meranda’s camp remains firm and defiant.

Her spokesperson, Ganzallo, dismissed concerns about Obasa’s actions, emphasizing that leadership is determined by lawmakers’ support, not by physically occupying an office.

“The case is in court, and 35 members still recognize Meranda as Speaker,” he stated. “An office is just a workplace—true leadership comes from the backing of the majority.”

Efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to resolve the crisis have so far failed. A mediation panel led by Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, initiated by President Bola Tinubu, has been unable to broker peace between the two factions.

Despite this, Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, assured that a resolution was imminent.

“This is an internal party matter, and we will resolve it soon. The party has the capacity to handle it,” Ojelabi stated.

The Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the Lagos APC, has criticized lawmakers for removing Obasa without first consulting the party.

GAC Chairman, Chief Tajudeen Olusi, revealed that neither the party nor the GAC was involved in the decision to remove Obasa.

“The lawmakers acted without consulting the party and key stakeholders,” Olusi stated.

He further emphasized that lawmakers do not have absolute authority to impeach or install leaders without input from the party, adding:

“No one can become a member of the House of Assembly without party sponsorship. The party remains the key stakeholder in leadership decisions.”