The leadership crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly continues to unfold as Speaker Mudashiru Obasa remains steadfast in his legal challenge against erstwhile Speaker Mojisola Meranda and several lawmakers.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in an attempt to resolve the dispute, Obasa’s legal team has made it clear that they are not backing down from the case currently before the Lagos State High Court.
Obasa’s Legal Stand
Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), the counsel representing Speaker Obasa, reiterated on Sunday that his principal had no intention of withdrawing the lawsuit, despite political pressure to do so. Speaking with news men, Fashanu stated that the legal process had already reached an advanced stage, and his team was simply awaiting the court’s judgment.
“We are just waiting for the judgment. We don’t know when yet; the court said they will communicate it to us,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of withdrawing the suit in light of Tinubu’s intervention, Fashanu responded emphatically, “We have concluded. You’re twisting the hand of the clock back. We have concluded arguments; that one does not arise again. He’s not withdrawing; we have concluded.”
This stance contradicts earlier reports suggesting that Obasa would drop the suit following the reconciliation efforts initiated by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). President Tinubu had reportedly urged all factions to put the matter to rest to ensure legislative stability in Lagos State.
Political Attempts at Reconciliation
The crisis began on January 13, 2025, when Obasa was removed as Speaker following a contentious Assembly session. In his place, Mojisola Meranda was appointed, making history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly.
However, her tenure lasted only 49 days, marred by leadership tussles and internal conflicts.
Obasa, refusing to accept his removal, challenged the legality of the proceedings that led to his ouster. His legal action escalated tensions within the Assembly, even as APC chieftains sought a resolution.
On March 12, 2025, all 40 members of the Lagos Assembly met with President Tinubu in Abuja, where he facilitated discussions to settle the grievances between Obasa and Meranda.
Following the meeting, Obasa was reinstated as Speaker, while Meranda stepped down. However, the expectation that Obasa would withdraw his lawsuit has not materialized.
Otunba Henry Ajomale, a former chairman of the APC Lagos and a member of the Governance Advisory Council, had earlier expressed confidence that the case would soon be withdrawn.
“Now that he (Obasa) has been returned, I believe that the case will be withdrawn from court. In no time. Perhaps at the next sitting, you will see the difference,” Ajomale told journalists.
Despite such optimism, Obasa’s decision to proceed with the case suggests deeper unresolved tensions within the Assembly.
State Assembly in Recess Amidst Uncertainty
Since Obasa’s re-election as Speaker on March 3, 2025, the Lagos Assembly has not reconvened for plenary. This prolonged adjournment has raised concerns about governance and legislative functions in the state.
The Clerk of the House, Ottun Babatunde, stated that the Assembly would likely resume after the Sallah holiday.
“We adjourned sine die (indefinitely), but (we will) likely (resume) after Sallah by God’s grace,” Ottun said last Tuesday.
While plenary sessions have been suspended, committee activities within the House are reportedly ongoing. Ottun clarified that only the full legislative sittings were on hold.
“The committee activities are ongoing. We suspended only plenary, and we went on recess,” he explained.
Meanwhile, sources close to Obasa disclosed that the Speaker was not in Lagos, as he had traveled to Mecca for the holy pilgrimage. This absence further extends the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of legislative activities.
Implications for Lagos Politics
Obasa’s insistence on pursuing legal action, despite Tinubu’s intervention, underscores the complexity of political power struggles within Lagos State. The situation raises several critical questions about party unity and governance effectiveness.
Some political analysts argue that Obasa’s defiance signals a shift in internal power dynamics within the APC, potentially exposing fractures within the ruling party’s leadership structure in Lagos.
Others believe that his persistence in court is an effort to establish legal precedence and ensure that his authority as Speaker remains undisputed in the future.
For the lawmakers who supported Meranda’s short-lived tenure, Obasa’s continued legal pursuit might be viewed as an act of vengeance rather than reconciliation.
If the court rules in Obasa’s favor, it could set a significant precedent regarding the legality of impeachment proceedings within the Lagos State Assembly.
As Lagosians await the court’s judgment, the unresolved crisis within the Lagos Assembly continues to cast a shadow over legislative proceedings.
While Tinubu’s influence has managed to restore Obasa to the Speakership, the question remains whether political reconciliation can truly be achieved without legal closure.
If the court rules in Obasa’s favor, it may embolden him further, solidifying his grip on the Assembly’s leadership.
However, a ruling against him could reignite tensions and possibly lead to new power struggles within the House.
For now, all eyes remain on the Lagos State High Court as it prepares to deliver a judgment that could reshape the political landscape of Nigeria’s economic hub.
