Newscenter Media News In a dramatic turn of events, 36 lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly have unequivocally rejected Mudashiru Obasa’s claim to the speakership, reaffirming their support for the current speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
This development comes on the heels of Obasa’s attempt to reclaim the speaker’s office, accompanied by security officials and two loyal lawmakers, Ayinde Akinsanya and Noheem Adams.
The lawmakers, who addressed journalists at the assembly complex on Thursday, refuted Obasa’s assertion that he remains the speaker. Steven Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, emphasized that the lawmakers are committed to ensuring that Obasa’s removal stands.
Ogundipe called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Lagos to intervene in the leadership crisis, stating, “We were approached by our leaders that we should remain calm and take things easy. But we are surprised to see what is happening here today.”
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Ogundipe further appealed to the party leadership, saying, “We won’t take laws into our hands… Whatever has to happen, the leadership should speak with us and not this charade we are seeing… We are not happy; we have been law-abiding. We have not gone out of our way against the state. We also want to be respected and to be given our dignity. To be shown that we are elected. I’m appealing to the leadership of our party that we cannot continue this way.”
The assembly has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal as speaker, with over 90% of lawmakers accusing him of poor leadership style, perpetual lateness, high-handedness, and abuse of office and privileges. The lawmakers had also accused Obasa of disregarding the executive, especially the governor, and intimidating and oppressing members.
In an attempt to resolve the crisis, APC bigwigs, including former governors of Osun, Ogun, and Lagos states, Chief Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, respectively, met with political stakeholders in the state, including assembly members. The meeting, which was held on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, aimed to find a solution to the leadership crisis.
It was reported that both Obasa and Meranda might be stepping aside for another lawmaker to lead the house, with one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West being considered as the new speaker. A member of the Governors Advisory Council, Chief Muraina Taiwo, noted that the party leaders were considering a new candidate for the speakership, saying, “One of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West is being considered by the party leaders as the new Speaker.”
The development has sparked a heated debate, with many calling for a swift resolution to the crisis. The lawmakers’ rejection of Obasa’s claim to the speakership has added a new twist to the saga, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
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