LAWMAKERS ADAMANT OVER OBASA’S REINSTATEMENT
The reinstated Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, met with lawmakers on Tuesday in an attempt to reconcile with aggrieved colleagues after weeks of leadership turmoil. The meeting, held at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, came a day after Obasa was re-elected as Speaker, marking the end of a crisis that began with his removal on January 13 and the election of Mojisola Meranda as his replacement.
Meranda, who served as Speaker for 49 days, resigned on Monday before reclaiming her former position as Deputy Speaker. Obasa’s return was facilitated by interventions from senior members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba.
Despite his reinstatement, tensions persist within the Assembly, with some lawmakers expressing dissatisfaction with the process that led to his comeback. The Tuesday meeting was also overshadowed by speculation that Obasa might step down, but a source close to him dismissed the claims, insisting he would remain in office. Similarly, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi downplayed the rumors.
Although the meeting was framed as a reconciliation effort, some lawmakers felt it failed to address their concerns. “One of the reasons we removed him in the first place happened again—he arrived late for a 1:00 p.m. meeting, which eventually started at 2:30 p.m. There was no apology, just a passive acknowledgment of our grievances,” a lawmaker, speaking anonymously, revealed.
Another lawmaker revealed that discussions largely revolved around a lawsuit filed against the House by the suspended Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko.
“The case is coming up on Thursday, but our concern is that Obasa involved the Department of State Services (DSS), which led to the invitation and arrest of some of our colleagues,” the lawmaker said.
The lawmaker further stated that Obasa’s reinstatement was not a unanimous decision but a concession made out of respect for party elders like Akande and Osoba. “In our hearts and souls, we do not want him, even now,” the lawmaker added.
