Controversy has trailed the purchase of N5BN vehicles for 40 lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
This latest development has deepened the feud between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and erstwhile Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
It was learnt that Meranda purportedly led the purchase of about 39 vehicles for the lawmakers during the period Obasa was removed as Speaker.
However, it was further gathered that Obasa had in December 2024 approved N7bn for the same purpose with plans in motion before he was ousted on January 13, 2025, by about 35 of the 40 lawmakers at the House over allegations of highhandedness, and financial misappropriation among others.
Meranda, who was then made the Speaker by the lawmakers, presided over a boiling House for 49 days until March 3 when she tendered her resignation following the intervention of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress.
Obasa was reelected as Speaker and Meranda returned to her initial position of Deputy Speaker.
However, the crisis does not seem to go away as Meranda and the Assembly still face legal battles from Obasa in the state High Court as the Speaker challenges the basis for his removal.
His contention in court is still ongoing despite the political intervention of party stakeholders who resolved the leadership crisis.
Amid the legal battle is also the contention between the duo over the purchase of the vehicles with money withdrawn from the Assembly’s account while Obasa was away.
Sources privy to the development said Obasa is contending the purchase of the vehicles without his authorisation, as the Speaker had his plan of purchasing the vehicles from Dubai from his bidder of interest.
“He had approved the money before his removal. But Meranda proceeded with buying them, a move that infuriated Obasa,” an aide to Obasa, who asked not to be named for not being authorised to comment yet, said on Tuesday.
“In December, Obasa approved the purchase of those vehicles. But for him, the vehicles were to be bought from Dubai but when Meranda took over, she made it an open bidding. They weren’t bought in Dubai anymore. That is just the difference. So it’s not as if they stole money as it’s been propagated,” another source in the Assembly said on condition of anonymity on Tuesday.
“The purchase or execution was only done (under Meranda). Obasa already approved it. There is a difference between between approval and execution,” the source added.
When contacted on Tuesday, Meranda’s spokesperson, Victor Ganzallo, said an official statement would be issued.
