Mudashiru Obasa has been reinstated as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda.
Obasa was sworn in on Monday, reclaiming the position he previously held before his removal. His reinstatement comes after Meranda stepped down, citing the need to resolve the leadership crisis within the House.
Mojisola Meranda officially resigned as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, stepping down amidst ongoing leadership controversies over Obasa’s removal.
Announcing her decision during Monday’s plenary session, Meranda described her resignation as a “personal sacrifice towards resolving this gravely, intangible leadership crisis rocking this assembly of patriots.”
She said, “It is with every sense of responsibility that I hereby give you notice of my decision to resign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, with effect from today, 3rd March, 2025. I did not arrive at this decision lightly. Indeed, I took it in careful consideration of all the primary and intricate integral circumstances that are connected with my election as Speaker on 13th of January, 2025.
“On the one hand, I am in recent present political turmoil, which is threatening the cohesion of this honourable house. On the other hand, we are the representative of the good people of Lagos, with a mandate to protect our democracy and ensure good governance. I am a good student of political history, and in this regard, I know that this is a point at which, as your leader, I have to make a selfless sacrifice to resign in order to protect the peace of the situation.”
She also expressed appreciation for the support she received as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly as she said, “With your support, I made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and I value and cherish your solidarity”
Meranda continued, “I am sincerely grateful to each of you for your support and collaboration during my short but very interesting tenure. I leave this position as the right honourable Speaker of this house, and I shall continue to serve my good people of Agbapapa Constitution I in particular, and our team in Lagos in general. Thank you for finding me worthy to lead this distinguished and honourable assembly.
“I am not a quitter. However, I took the above decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment. Accordingly, and in deference to … our esteemed political leaders, I have agreed to yet again make a personal sacrifice by stepping down as the Speaker of this great assembly. Dear distinguished and gallant honourable members of this 10th assembly, occasionally, we are confronted with esteemed overwhelming challenges in conflict management, but as a responsible leader, we will not bring down this legislative house, collectively built in pursuit of justice and fairness.”
Before her resignation, lawmakers commended Meranda’s legislative acumen and diligence during her brief tenure.
Following her announcement, she was reinstated as Deputy Speaker, a position she previously held before Obasa’s removal.
