The leadership crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly continues with no resolution in sight, as the 35 lawmakers who removed Mudashiru Obasa as speaker maintain that he will not be reinstated. According to these lawmakers, Mojisola Meranda remains the Assembly’s leader, despite Obasa’s claim of having resumed his role.

Obasa returned to the Assembly on Thursday after his security detail was reinstated and held a plenary session with four lawmakers.

“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly. I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but in doing that, you must follow due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic,” Obasa stated to reporters at the House.

Obasa’s move followed a meeting between some key members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the lawmakers on Monday. The meeting included former governors of Osun and Ogun states, Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, as well as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other party leaders, all aiming to resolve the crisis.

Sources from the meeting revealed that the panel recommended Obasa’s resignation upon his return, suggesting that Meranda also step down to allow another lawmaker from the Lagos West Senatorial District to become Speaker. However, this plan fell through on Thursday after Obasa returned to the Assembly with new security escorts.

President Tinubu linked to Obasa’s return

There are indications that the presidency supported Obasa’s return, particularly after his security team was reinstated.

An insider from the Lagos APC mentioned that Obasa’s return was a result of a meeting he held with party leaders loyal to President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday. According to the source, the meeting, which started late on Wednesday evening and continued into the early hours of Thursday, appeared to signal Obasa’s favorable return to the Assembly. The source said, “The meeting started late Wednesday evening and ended in the early hours of Thursday. Around 7am to 8am, you could easily tell from some of Obasa’s close aides that something in their favour was about to happen.”

The insider also mentioned that the Akande-led peace initiative faced rejection, with lawmakers from Lagos West refusing to agree to Meranda’s removal. After persuasion, they reluctantly agreed to support Honourable Setonji David as the new Speaker. However, the lawmakers’ reluctance to implement the resolution may have led to Thursday’s turn of events.

An APC leader loyal to President Tinubu described Obasa’s return as a “massive political statement.” The leader said that Obasa’s resumption and plenary session signified a shift in political momentum, adding, “Obasa’s resumption as the Assembly Speaker is a massive political statement in the political squabble.”

The APC leader also suggested that the GAC (Governance Advisory Council) might be disbanded, stating that the failure to resolve the crisis could result in casualties.

Assembly deserted as security operatives take charge

On Friday, a heavy security presence was seen at the Lagos Assembly complex. Officers from the state police command, task force, and mobile police were deployed to secure the premises, with patrol vehicles stationed at various points. The pedestrian gate was closed, and only two police officers were stationed at the entrance.

A female Assembly staff member noted that the heightened security presence began on Thursday but intensified on Friday. She commented, “The security situation here is unusual. It started yesterday, and when we arrived this morning, we saw that the number of officers had doubled. I believe it’s because of the ongoing issue.”

Lawyers clash in court

At the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, a mild drama unfolded on Friday when two lawyers claimed to represent the Assembly during a hearing related to Obasa’s removal. Obasa filed suit number ID/9047GCM/2025 to challenge the constitutionality of the House’s sitting during a recess, which occurred without the Speaker’s reconvening of the Assembly or delegating authority to someone else.

Obasa’s lawyer, Afolabi Fashanu, represented him in the suit, while Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, appeared for the Assembly. Another lawyer, Abang Mkpandiok, stood up to challenge Falana’s representation, claiming he had been briefed the night before and had filed a motion for a change of counsel.

However, after reviewing the court’s records, Justice Pinheiro ruled that Mkpandiok’s application for a change of counsel was not ready for hearing. The court deferred the matter, noting that the application had not been served on all parties.

Justice Pinheiro also fixed March 7, 2025, to hear all pending applications.

Meranda’s security details not fully restored

After the court session, Meranda revealed that her full security detail had not yet been restored. She mentioned, “I have my people and God with me. Three or four policemen are also with me. Whereas, in my normal convoy, my team comprises two policemen, four DSS, and two anti-bomb operatives. But I don’t have that with me this morning.”

When asked about Obasa’s actions in the Assembly, Meranda responded, “I think he (Obasa) is still a member of the Lagos House of Assembly, so he has every right to come. But invasion and breaking into my office is really a big one.”

Meranda criticized Obasa’s plenary session, calling it a “show of shame,” stating that it was only attended by a few members, which made it invalid.

Lawmakers back Meranda

Following the court proceedings, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Ogundipe Olukayode, confirmed that 35 lawmakers, including Meranda, were united in their stance on the crisis. He added that consultations were ongoing and that the House would reconvene in due time.

Some lawmakers also expressed support for Meranda, such as David Setonji from Badagry Constituency II, who stated through his media aide, “Meranda is the recognised Speaker. Obasa was rejected, and he is not coming back as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.”

One lawmaker, who spoke anonymously, alleged that Obasa’s confidence was due to support from President Tinubu. The lawmaker said, “Obasa cannot be that confident if there is no one backing him. It is President Bola Tinubu who is backing him.”

GAC and APC reactions

The Chairman of the GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, emphasized that the GAC had already advised the conflicting parties privately and that the party should intervene if the situation worsens. Meanwhile, Seye Oladejo, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos State, called for peace and said, “It is like a quarrel between siblings of the same parents and the parents should not be seen taking sides while trying to make peace.”

Oladejo denied that President Tinubu was involved in the crisis.