After weeks of controversy surrounding former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa’s impeachment, Mojisola Meranda resigned on Monday following presidential intervention.
Meranda stepped down to maintain unity within the Lagos Assembly and the ruling All Progressives Congress amid escalating tensions.
On January 13, Obasa was impeached after lawmakers discovered misappropriated billions in procurement allocations for vehicles and other items.
Following his removal, Meranda was immediately appointed Speaker but faced significant resistance from her predecessor, escalating the leadership crisis.
Reports revealed that Obasa refused to vacate the official residence, contesting his impeachment’s legality while vowing to remain Speaker.
On February 14, Obasa filed a lawsuit against Meranda and the Assembly, challenging his impeachment’s validity and demanding reinstatement.
Despite multiple political meetings between Lagos and Abuja, the crisis remained unresolved, deepening internal party divisions and uncertainty.
President Bola Tinubu, leader of Lagos APC’s Governance Advisory Council, ordered lawmakers to reinstate Obasa, but resistance persisted.
Assembly members expressed concerns about potential retribution from Obasa if reinstated, complicating the leadership dispute’s resolution process.
Governance Advisory Council member Muraina Akanbi Taiwo firmly rejected Obasa’s reinstatement, stating that Tinubu’s decision wasn’t absolute.
On February 27, Obasa forcefully reclaimed his position, storming parliament with police and State Security Service operatives.
Despite Meranda insisting on her legitimacy, Obasa publicly declared himself Speaker, escalating the Assembly’s ongoing constitutional crisis further.
Critics condemned Tinubu’s directive, warning that overriding due process threatens democratic stability and undermines constitutional governance principles.
They urged adherence to the rule of law, advocating that legal mechanisms, not executive influence, should resolve the dispute.
