Following his reinstatement as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa held a meeting on Tuesday with lawmakers at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, in an attempt to reconcile with aggrieved colleagues.
The meeting came after Monday’s leadership resolution, which saw Obasa reelected as Speaker after Mojisola Meranda resigned from the position. Meranda, who had taken over as Speaker on January 13, 2025, following Obasa’s removal, was subsequently reinstated as Deputy Speaker—a role she held before the crisis.
Lingering Tensions in the Assembly
Despite Obasa’s return, tensions remain high among lawmakers. Sources revealed that the meeting, originally scheduled for 1 p.m., started at 2:30 p.m.—a delay that reportedly reinforced some lawmakers’ grievances against the Speaker.
One legislator, speaking anonymously, said:
“One of the reasons we initially removed him happened again. We were kept waiting for an hour and a half, and when he finally arrived, there was no apology. He briefly acknowledged our dissatisfaction but moved straight to the agenda. None of us contributed at the meeting.”
Another lawmaker disclosed that the primary focus of the discussion was the ongoing legal battle involving suspended Clerk Olalekan Onafeko.
“The case comes up on Thursday, and while it is a civil matter, we are concerned that the Department of State Services (DSS) was involved, leading to the arrest of some of our colleagues.”
The lawmaker also admitted that while Obasa was reinstated due to respect for senior party leaders like Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, many legislators remain opposed to his leadership.
“In our hearts, we do not want him up till this moment.”
Obasa Pushes for Clerk’s Reinstatement
A source close to Obasa confirmed that he is actively lobbying for Onafeko’s return as Clerk, despite resistance from lawmakers.
“Obasa believes it is politically unwise for a pro-Meranda Clerk to remain in office,” the source explained.
Onafeko, who was suspended on January 13, was replaced by Ottun Babatunde, who acted as Clerk during Monday’s plenary session. However, Onafeko has taken the matter to the National Industrial Court, challenging both Babatunde’s appointment and his suspension.
Speaking on Tuesday, Onafeko stated that while he stands by the court process, he remains open to a political resolution.
“The most important thing is what is best for the institution and the state itself. It’s not just about the law—political and human aspects must also be considered.”
Uncertain Path Forward
Despite Obasa’s ongoing efforts to unify the Assembly, the deep divisions among lawmakers suggest that restoring full stability may take time. Some legislators are reportedly considering shifting their stance, but many remain firm in their opposition.
The political drama surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly continues to unfold, with key decisions on leadership and governance still hanging in the balance.
