Mojisola Meranda, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is under intense pressure to resign from her position. Sources suggest that her resignation could happen as early as today.
In a dramatic turn of events, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the Assembly complex and sealed off her office. Armed security personnel were seen securing the premises in Alausa, Ikeja, raising concerns about the stability of the state legislature.
This development follows the controversial impeachment of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, whose removal has sparked a deep crisis within the Assembly.
Obasa, who was ousted on January 13 over allegations of abuse of office and corruption, has strongly rejected his impeachment. The political situation has become more complicated with reports that President Bola Tinubu has intervened, increasing speculation that Obasa might be reinstated.
Apart from Meranda’s office, sources confirm that the DSS also sealed the offices of her deputy and the Clerk of the House. As a result, today’s scheduled plenary session had yet to commence at the time of this report.
The ongoing crisis has divided leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, particularly members of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC). A marathon meeting was reportedly held recently, with discussions centered on Obasa’s potential return to the Speaker’s seat.
Meanwhile, Obasa has taken legal action, challenging the legitimacy of his removal. On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, he filed a motion at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court, naming the Lagos State House of Assembly and Meranda as defendants.
In his suit, Obasa is seeking several court orders, including an urgent hearing of the case and a faster response timeline from the defendants. The case is based on multiple legal grounds, including the interpretation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Assembly’s standing rules.
