Lagos Assembly Crisis: Obasa, Supporters Return To Complex

FOR the second day running, the four-man faction of the Lagos State House of Assembly led by the ‘impeached’ Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, stormed the House with armed security operatives and his supporters, yesterday.

The atmosphere was tense and rowdy as legislative staff vacated their offices in fear even as the All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus committee led by Chief Bisi Akande and the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, are reportedly currently working to resolve the leadership crisis in the State Assembly. Chairman of GAC, Pa Tajudeen Olusi who spoke on efforts being made to resolve the matter, however said the lawmakers carried out the impeachment without consulting the party and the GAC.

Obasa, who on Thursday presided a plenary of four members after breaking the locks of the chambers and speaker’s office, returned to the complex at about 12 noon, yesterday.

He has also adjourned sitting indefinitely on a motion by the Majority Leader of his faction, Noheem Adams.
This was after embattled new Speaker, Princess Mojisola Meranda, and 35 members loyal to her appeared at the Lagos High Court in defence of the suit filed against them by Obasa.

Recall that Obasa had gone to court to challenge his “unlawful” removal by 36 of his 40 colleagues on January 13, 2025.
In the application dated February 12, 2025, and filed by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, the plaintiff claimed that he was removed from his position while he was out of the country.

Meranda’s legal team was led by Professor Tayo Oyetibo, SAN.

Other counsels to the lawmakers are: Mr. Olu Daramola, SAN;, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN; Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN; Dr. Dada Awosika, SAN; Prof. Dayo Amokaye, SAN; Mr. Mofe Oyetibo, SAN; Mr. Olumide Oyewole; and Mr. Wunmi Okeremi.

Court fixes hearing of suit March 7
During proceedings, members of the Assembly loyal to Meranda filed an application seeking to be joined as defendants in the case.

Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has fixed March 7 for the hearing of all pending applications in the lawsuit.

Meranda’s Faction Condemns Invasion Of House

Meanwhile, the Assembly has condemned what it described as an invasion on Thursday

A statement from the media office of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, decried what it described as “unsanctioned attempt to convene a plenary session by the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, alongside three members.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the rules governing plenary sessions of the House are clear. A valid sitting requires a formal notice to all members, the presence of a quorum, an approved agenda, and the mace, an essential symbol of legislative authority.

“None of these procedural requirements was met during the purported session, with only 4 out of 40 members present, rendering it unconstitutional and without legislative effect,” the House said in a statement, yesrterday by its spokesman, Hon. Steve Ogundipe.

The statement added that the House remains steadfast in upholding the integrity of the legislature and is committed to maintaining the highest parliamentary standards.

“As an institution dedicated to the progress and development of Lagos State, we shall continue to act within the confines of the law to protect and preserve democratic governance.

Unwavering support for Meranda
“Furthermore, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the leadership of the Speaker, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda, who continues to demonstrate dedication to the service of Lagosians. Any speculation suggesting her resignation is entirely unfounded. She remains firmly in office and enjoys the confidence and support of 36 colleagues.”

The House said it aligns with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in working towards a constructive resolution of misunderstandings, adding that the House will continue to work in the interest of Lagosians.

Invasion a Show Of Shame — Meranda

On her part, Meranda said Obasa’s invasion of her office “was a total show of shame’ and something that must be condemned.”

Rule Of Law Must Prevail

While urging that the ongoing legal battle be allowed to run its course, Meranda said, the House remained intact and united.

Speaking with journalists, she said: “This is actually just the beginning, and as you saw in there (Court), both parties have their representatives. I think we should allow the legal teams to do their job”.

As the political tension in the Lagos Assembly continues, Meranda and her allies have vowed to uphold due process and legislative order.

On the dramatic events at the Assembly complex, Meranda noted that Obasa remains a member of the House and has the right to be present at plenary.

“However, the invasion and breaking into my office, that is really a serious issue,” she emphasised.

Security Details

On the situation of things regarding her security details, who were withdrawn and later restored on Thursday, Meranda said, a significant reduction in her security detail was alarming, stating that her usual convoy includes 12 policemen, four DSS officers, and two anti-riot officers, but as of Friday morning, “I am left with only three or four policemen”.

Dismissing Obasa’s plenary session as a show of shame and theatrics, Meranda said: “I think that was just a show of shame because, in our job, we have numbers that form a quorum. If you are sitting with just three or four members, you are only putting on a theatrical display.”

Meranda, who confirmed, the House might not sit any moment assured that an official announcement would be made when the Assembly reconvenes.

Court Will Expose The Impostor —Ogundipe

Also speaking on the matter, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, accused certain individuals of creating unnecessary drama. He insisted that the person at the centre of the controversy was an “impostor” and expressed confidence that the court would reveal the truth.

“Our counsel was very clear in court. The person causing the drama was just an impostor, and I am sure the court will follow due process. By the time the second hearing comes up, the impostor’s true identity will definitely be exposed,” Ogundipe said.

He criticized the contradictory statements made by those challenging the Assembly’s proceedings. “Imagine, they are now openly claiming that there was no court procedure, yet we are here today.

“The same person who initiated the court case is now saying there’s no court process. You also saw the drama his lawyers created in court today. It’s unfortunate, but when we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” he added.

Lawmakers Removed Obasa without consultation-—olusi

Speaking with newsmen in an interview at his residence in Ajah, Lagos on Friday, the Chairman, Governance Advisory Council, GAC, Pa Tajudeen Olusi, cautioned that the council of elders should not be dragged into the leadership crisis that saw the removal of Obasa and replacing him with his deputy, Mojisola Meranda. According to him, the lawmakers took the decision without consultation with the party and the GAC.

His words: “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to have been alleged to be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true. We read it also on that morning like everybody else. The lawmakers carried it out without consultation with the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position.

“We invited all of them and insisted that they are all products of the party. They lodged their complaints and we listened to them. I blamed them for not lodging the complaints earlier before the party. It is for the party to decide, they (lawmakers) have no absolute power to remove and install their leaders. Nobody can become a member of the House of Assembly unless they are sponsored by a political party and the sponsors are the inspectors. No organ of government is totally independent of the other.

“Currently, there is a high powered committee of the party led by Chief Bisi Akande and members including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others.

They are working and making efforts to resolve the matter amicably. I know they are in consultation with the House of Assembly, Obasa and the other Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda.Those of us in the GAC and the Chairman of the Party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi are doing all within our power to assist the committee”.