Lagos State House of Assembly’s recent purchase of vehicles worth N5 billion has ignited fresh tensions between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and former Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
The purchase of 39 vehicles for the lawmakers has raised eyebrows, with claims of financial mismanagement and highhandedness following Obasa’s removal as Speaker in January 2025.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that while Obasa initially approved a N7 billion budget for the vehicle purchase, his plans included importing the vehicles from Dubai.
However, upon Meranda’s assumption of the Speaker’s role, the procurement was altered to a local bidding process, resulting in the purchase of 32 Toyota Prado SUVs and seven Toyota Landcruiser SUVs, at a reduced cost of N5 billion.
A source close to Meranda emphasized that no funds were misappropriated during the process, stating, “Meranda saved the House N2 billion by reviewing the existing approval and calling for a local bid.”
Obasa’s camp, however, remains critical of the decision, accusing Meranda of executing the purchase without his consent.
“Obasa had approved the money before his removal. But Meranda proceeded with buying them, a move that infuriated Obasa,” an aide commented.
Despite the political intervention that reinstated Obasa as Speaker, the battle continues in court, where Obasa challenges the allegations that led to his ouster.
His legal representative, Chief Fashanu Afolabi, stated, “The allegations against Obasa were serious, and we feel these issues must be addressed.”
The case is scheduled for further hearing on March 17, 2025, in the Lagos State High Court.