Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has officially declared that he has resumed his position as the parliament’s leader.
This statement came on Thursday as Obasa, accompanied by police and State Security Service (SSS) personnel, returned to the Assembly complex for the first time since his removal on January 13.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa declared upon his arrival.
NewDailyPrime reports that the former Speaker entered the Speaker’s Office at around 12:00 pm on Thursday, escorted by security officials.
This marked a significant development in the ongoing leadership crisis that has gripped the Assembly since his removal.
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The crisis began after Obasa was ousted following accusations from over 90 per cent of the lawmakers, including claims of poor leadership, habitual tardiness to legislative functions, high-handedness, and a disregard for fellow lawmakers and the executive, particularly the governor.
Other allegations included abuse of office, intimidation, and oppression of Assembly members.
The situation escalated further with the election of Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker, which has only deepened the divide within the Assembly.
Following her election, the security aides assigned to her were withdrawn, sparking further tensions.
In an effort to resolve the dispute, prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former governors of Osun, Ogun, and Lagos states — Chief Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode — held a series of meetings with political stakeholders last weekend.
The meetings were reportedly convened under the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Sources close to the discussions revealed that both Obasa and Meranda might step aside to make way for a new Speaker.
Chief Muraina Taiwo, a member of the Governors Advisory Council, indicated that one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West is being considered as a potential replacement.
As the leadership crisis continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the Assembly to see whether a resolution is reached or if further tensions will emerge within the legislature.
