Mojisola Meranda, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has condemned the recent plenary session led by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, attended by only four lawmakers, calling it a “show of shame.” This latest development highlights the ongoing crisis within the Assembly, which intensified when Obasa made a dramatic return to preside over a session despite the opposition of the remaining 36 lawmakers who support Meranda.
Obasa was removed from his position on January 13, 2025, amid allegations of misconduct, and Meranda was subsequently elected as the new speaker. The division within the Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has since deepened, with Meranda facing pressure to resign following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported dissatisfaction with Obasa’s removal.
The situation escalated when news emerged that Meranda’s security detail had been withdrawn while Obasa’s was reinstated, facilitating his return. On Thursday, Obasa arrived at the Assembly flanked by a significant security presence and supporters celebrating his comeback. During the session, he was joined by only three other lawmakers, leading Meranda to label the gathering as mere theatrics due to the lack of a quorum.
In comments to the press, Meranda emphasized that a proper plenary requires a quorum, stating, “If you are sitting with three or four members, you are only doing theatre.” She also expressed concern over what she described as Obasa’s intrusion into the Assembly, highlighting that while he retains membership, his conduct was inappropriate.
Meranda revealed that her full security team has yet to be restored, noting the drastic reduction in her protective detail. Meanwhile, the Lagos High Court has ordered that all members of the Assembly be included as parties in Obasa’s ongoing lawsuit regarding his removal, with further hearings scheduled for March 7.
