The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has intensified, with Mudashiru Obasa and Mojisola Meranda both declaring themselves Speaker. The dispute has further deepened as the Assembly now has two clerks—Ottun Babatunde and the suspended Olalekan Onafeko—each claiming legitimate authority.
The ongoing turmoil has fragmented the legislative arm of Lagos State, as Obasa and Meranda both lay claim to the Speaker’s position.
The contention stems from Obasa’s removal on January 13, 2025, when 33 lawmakers ousted him and appointed former Deputy Speaker Meranda in his place. The lawmakers cited abuse of office, financial misconduct, and other infractions as reasons for his dismissal, sparking the crisis in the 10th Assembly.
Obasa was out of the country at the time of his removal and, upon returning to Lagos on January 25, 2025, challenged the legitimacy of the decision.
Despite intervention efforts by key figures in the All Progressives Congress, including former Osun and Ogun governors Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba, the leadership dispute remains unresolved.
Even the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State has struggled to mediate, with some members believing that only President Bola Tinubu can effectively intervene.
Efforts by an Akande-led mediation panel, set up by Tinubu, have so far failed to broker a resolution. The panel engaged GAC members, party stakeholders, and lawmakers, but with no breakthrough.
On Thursday, in a dramatic turn of events, Obasa made a surprise return to the Assembly complex after weeks of absence.
Escorted by security personnel, the embattled former Speaker entered the complex around 9 a.m., heading straight to the Speaker’s office. The unexpected development sent shockwaves through the political landscape and further escalated tensions.
That same morning, the Lagos State Police Command withdrew security details assigned to Meranda, while additional escorts were deployed to Obasa. Some observers speculated that the security arrangements facilitated his reentry into the Assembly.
Aide to Meranda, Victor Ganzallo, expressed concerns over her vulnerability, stating, “We don’t know why this decision was made, but all police officers assigned to her have been withdrawn. She is left unprotected.”
Later that evening, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh addressed the situation in a press briefing, attributing the security changes to an ongoing personnel audit.
“As of now, the audit of police officers assigned to Hon. Mojisola Meranda has been completed, and her security details have been reinstated,” Jimoh clarified.
He emphasized that the personnel review had been in progress for days and was not targeted at any specific individual.
The police also confirmed that Obasa had requested security protection due to alleged threats to his life.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin stated, “Hon. Mudashiru Obasa submitted an application regarding threats to his life and that of his family. Based on that, security personnel were assigned to him strictly for protection.”
Despite returning to his office, Obasa faces rejection from 35 lawmakers, with only four members attending a session he convened.
“I was never removed. There was no impeachment. If there were, due process must be followed,” Obasa declared at the Assembly complex.
Addressing the limited attendance at his plenary session, he remarked, “I cannot compel lawmakers to participate. If they claim we were only four, where were the others?”
Meanwhile, Meranda, presiding over a separate plenary, also adjourned indefinitely, maintaining her claim to the Speakership.
A close associate of Meranda noted, “This is beginning to resemble the Rivers State situation, where two individuals are claiming to be Speaker. It’s far from over. Let’s wait and see.”
During a court hearing where she and other lawmakers were named as defendants in a suit filed by Obasa, Meranda dismissed his plenary session as illegitimate.
“That was nothing more than a display. In our legislative process, a quorum is required. Sitting with just three or four members is pure theatrics,” she stated.
Assembly spokesperson Ogundipe Olukayode assured that the House would reconvene soon.
“As it stands, we are 35, including Speaker Meranda. Consultations are ongoing, and the party is also actively involved,” he said.
However, it remains uncertain which Speaker will summon the next plenary.
Appearing on a TV program, Obasa asserted, “We adjourned indefinitely. That could mean tomorrow, next week, or any time. The House has the flexibility to reconvene as needed.”
On Saturday, Meranda addressed Muslims on her social media handle, signing off as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Lawmakers Acted Without Party Consultation – GAC
Chief Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council, weighed in on the Assembly crisis, stating that the lawmakers acted independently.
He emphasized that the party was neither consulted nor involved in the decision to remove Obasa.
“The GAC does not sit in the House of Assembly, so the claim that we orchestrated Obasa’s removal is false,” Olusi told reporters.
“We only learned about it the same day it happened. The lawmakers did not consult the party or the GAC beforehand,” he added.
Olusi stressed that party affiliation remains crucial, as lawmakers cannot assume office without party sponsorship.
“The Assembly members do not have absolute power to install or remove their leaders—it is the party’s responsibility,” he maintained.
He confirmed that efforts are still underway to find a resolution.
Two Clerks, One Office
The leadership struggle extends beyond the Speakership, with two individuals—Ottun Babatunde and Olalekan Onafeko—both claiming the Clerk’s position.
Onafeko was suspended on January 13 alongside Obasa’s removal and was replaced by Babatunde. Seeking redress, he filed a suit at the National Industrial Court in Lagos.
Justice M. N. Esowe granted an interim order directing both parties to maintain the status quo until the motion on notice was heard.
On February 27, Onafeko issued a public statement affirming his role as Clerk in compliance with the court ruling.
“I resumed duties as Clerk on February 26, 2025, and as the Accounting Officer of the House, I direct that no transactions proceed without my authorization,” he declared.
Onafeko also warned Babatunde against contempt of court.
In response, on March 1, Babatunde issued his own statement reaffirming himself as the rightful Clerk.
“All public institutions, financial bodies, and the general public are advised to disregard any directives from the suspended Clerk, as they are misleading and undermine judicial authority,” Babatunde’s notice read.
He insisted that dealings with Onafeko must cease until the court case is resolved.
With rival claims over the Speakership and Clerkship, the Lagos State House of Assembly remains in disarray, with no clear resolution in sight.