Lagos Assembly Crisis: Speaker Meranda Condemns ‘Illegitimate Plenary’ Led by Obasa
The political tension in the Lagos State House of Assembly escalated on Thursday as Speaker Mojisola Meranda strongly criticized her predecessor, Mudashiru Obasa, for allegedly breaking into her office and presiding over what she described as an “illegitimate plenary.”
Obasa, who was removed as speaker by 36 lawmakers, has refused to accept his ouster, insisting that the process was flawed. In an open act of defiance, he entered the assembly complex and convened a controversial session with just four lawmakers—far below the required quorum.
His actions have further widened the divisions within the assembly, with most legislators accusing him of poor leadership.
The crisis took a legal turn on Friday as 26 legislators loyal to Meranda appeared in court over a lawsuit filed by Obasa, challenging his removal. Speaking after the court session, Meranda stated that the legal battle was just beginning and called for restraint.
“This is just the beginning. Both parties have their legal representatives, and I think we should allow them to do their job,” she said.
However, she did not hold back in condemning Obasa’s dramatic attempt to reclaim power.
“He is still a member of the assembly, so he has every right to be here. But the invasion and breaking into my office—that is a big one,” she said. “To me, that was just a show of shame. In our profession, we have numbers that form a quorum. Sitting with three or four members? That’s just theatre.”
