Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has returned to his position, insisting that he remains the rightful leader of the parliament.
Obasa made this declaration on Thursday after arriving at the assembly complex, accompanied by police and State Security Service personnel. This marked his first appearance at the premises since his controversial removal on January 13.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa told reporters at the House.
When asked whether he had been officially reinstated, he responded, “I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”
Reports indicate that Obasa entered the Speaker’s Office at approximately noon on Thursday, shortly after security aides assigned to Mojisola Meranda, who was elected as his replacement, were withdrawn.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has been entangled in a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal. A majority of lawmakers—over 90 percent—had accused him of poor leadership, frequent lateness to legislative duties, high-handedness, and disregard for both colleagues and the executive branch, including the governor. Other allegations include abuse of office, intimidation, and oppression of fellow lawmakers.
To resolve the ongoing turmoil, key figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former governors Bisi Akande (Osun), Segun Osoba (Ogun), and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), intervened over the weekend. Acting on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, they met with political stakeholders, including members of the assembly, in an effort to find a solution.
Sources revealed that as a possible outcome of these discussions, both Obasa and Meranda may step aside to allow another lawmaker to assume the Speaker’s position.
A member of the Governors Advisory Council, Chief Muraina Taiwo, noted that one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West was being considered as a potential replacement for the leadership role.
