On Monday, March 3, 2025, the 49-day reign of Mojisola Meranda as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly ended. This happened because the lawmakers re-elected Mudashiru Obasa to lead them.
The move is not unconnected to the resolutions of the mediating panel led by Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba, former governors of Osun and Ogun states, who intervened in the leadership crisis that rocked the assembly for almost 50 days.
Over a week ago, the heavyweights in the All Progressives Congress, including the aforementioned former governors, were drafted by President Bola Tinubu to find a lasting solution to the Assembly leadership crisis which began when Obasa was removed by over 30 lawmakers on January 13, 2025.
At the plenary on Monday, other principal officers elected under Meranda also resigned from their positions, including Deputy Speaker, Mojeed Fatai, and Chief Whip, Okanlawon Sani.
Before the development, Obasa, Meranda and all the lawmakers had met with the leadership of the party in the state, led by the state Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi.
The state Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), was also at the meeting held outside the assembly chamber, before the plenary where Meranda officially resigned.
In her resignation speech, Meranda stated that her decision was made in the interest of democracy and to prevent further crises within the Assembly.
She emphasised that leadership required selfless sacrifice and that stepping down was necessary to maintain stability.
“I wish to let every one of you know that I have made a personal sacrifice towards resolving the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“I recognise the role my family has played and continues to play in entrenching democracy, good governance, and the betterment of our people.
“I will never depart from the well-established path of honour, dignity, integrity, and service as personified by my late father,” she said.
The first female speaker in the history of the Assembly added, “I took this decision carefully and with firm consideration.
“On one hand, I accepted the position of Speaker on January 13, 2025, and on the other hand, I resigned the position as it is threatening the democracy of this House.
“I am not a quitter; however, I took this bold decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment.
“Accordingly, I have agreed to yet again make a personal sacrifice by stepping down as the Speaker of this great Assembly.”
Obasa, who took a fresh oath of office as the Speaker, pledged to Lagos residents that the assembly would continue to make laws for the progress of the state.
He appreciated the intervention of Akande and Osoba in resolving the crisis.
