Mojisola Meranda, the incumbent Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, presided over a plenary session on Monday following a closed-door meeting between her predecessor, Mudashiru Obasa, and key political stakeholders.
Earlier in the day, Obasa met with lawmakers before proceeding to a separate meeting with Lagos State Attorney General Lawal Pedro (SAN) and Cornelius Ojelabi, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. Although details of the discussions remain undisclosed, sources suggest the meetings are part of ongoing negotiations regarding the assembly’s leadership crisis.
Security was visibly heightened around the assembly complex to prevent any disruption, as tensions over the speakership tussle remain high.
Obasa’s controversial return to the assembly on February 27, where he presided over a plenary with only four lawmakers despite his impeachment on January 13, continues to fuel uncertainty. Since his return to the country on January 25, he has consistently maintained that his removal was “illegal” and has sought to reclaim his position.
Meanwhile, speculations persist that Meranda is under growing pressure to relinquish her seat. Last Thursday, security aides attached to her were withdrawn, intensifying concerns over the stability of her leadership. However, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, later clarified that the withdrawal was only for “audit purposes” and that her security detail had been reinstated.
In a bid to resolve the ongoing impasse, the Lagos State Governing Advisory Council (GAC) has reportedly held mediation meetings with both factions.
