The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new turn as efforts to reinstate embattled former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa gain momentum.
The Lagos Assembly has been embroiled in turmoil since January 13, 2025, when 32 lawmakers voted to remove Obasa and former Clerk Olalekan Onafeko, electing Mrs. Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker. Now, sources close to the Presidency and key political figures have revealed that fresh negotiations are underway to bring Obasa back to power.
“Members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) have been directed to influence lawmakers and other political allies to support Obasa’s return,” a source disclosed to Vanguard. “The President is adamant about Obasa’s reinstatement and has involved the GAC members to pressurize their loyalists in the Assembly and the State Executive Council.”
In response, Obasa himself has also been actively reaching out to his opponents within the Assembly, seeking to garner support for his return.
Meanwhile, the crisis has extended beyond politics into the courts, with Obasa challenging his removal in a lawsuit. “The court will decide the fate of Obasa and Meranda,” a source within the Presidency said. “The situation is at a standstill, and a judicial resolution appears inevitable.”
In an effort to maintain order and safety, the Assembly has instructed all staff and legislative aides to work from home until further notice. The Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Babatunde Abubakar, emphasized the measure was to “guarantee safety and forestall any unwarranted consequences.”
As tensions mount, the path to resolving the leadership impasse appears uncertain, with both camps—those loyal to Obasa and Meranda—refusing to budge. The matter is now set to be heard in court, with a ruling expected soon.
Further complicating matters, GAC chairman Prince Tajudeen Olusi has denied the council’s involvement in the initial removal of Obasa. “It can’t be true that we were behind Obasa’s removal,” Olusi stated. “We were not consulted, and the lawmakers acted without party input.”