The Traffic

Lagos Power Play: How Akande Panel Forced Meranda Out and Brought Back Obasa

By Achimi Muktar

For 49 days, Mojisola Meranda held the gavel as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. But on Monday, her reign came to an abrupt end as the House re-elected Mudashiru Obasa in a dramatic political maneuver engineered by the Bisi Akande-led panel.

This high-stakes political drama, which had gripped the state for almost 50 days, saw party heavyweights—including former governors Bisi Akande and Olusegun Osoba—step in at the behest of President Bola Tinubu to mediate the crisis. Their intervention paved the way for Obasa’s dramatic return, raising questions about the supremacy of the party over democratic processes.

How Obasa Lost Power and Fought Back

The crisis began on January 13, 2025, when over 30 lawmakers ousted Obasa while he was away in the United States. In his place, his then-deputy, Meranda, was installed as Speaker. But Obasa was not willing to go down without a fight—he challenged the decision in court, setting off a political storm that drew national attention.

Tensions escalated as both camps refused to back down, forcing the APC leadership to step in. A meeting between lawmakers, party leaders, and legal heavyweights, including Lagos Attorney General Lawal Pedro (SAN), eventually set the stage for Meranda’s resignation.

Meranda’s Emotional Exit

On Monday, during a tense plenary session, Meranda officially stepped down, citing a desire to preserve democracy and maintain stability in the House.

“I am not a quitter,” she declared. “But I took this bold decision to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment.”

She further acknowledged that the party’s decision was final:

“I sincerely thank you for your understanding and support, just as we know that party decisions are supreme.”

Her resignation triggered a domino effect, as other principal officers elected under her leadership, including Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai and Chief Whip Okanlawon Sani, also stepped down.

The Return of Obasa

With Meranda out, the path was clear for Obasa’s triumphant return. Taking his oath of office once again, he reassured Lagosians that the House would remain committed to making laws for the state's progress.

“Our major responsibility is to represent the people, and that’s what we have been doing,” he said. “The Lagos Assembly is a House of integrity with an internal mechanism to resolve issues.”

However, whispers of a larger deal surfaced—reports suggested that the Akande-led panel initially wanted both Meranda and Obasa to step down in favor of a new candidate from Lagos West. Whether Obasa will honor that part of the resolution remains uncertain.

Will Obasa Resign Again?

A Governance Advisory Council (GAC) member, Chief Muraina Taiwo, hinted that Obasa’s reinstatement might not be final.

“They are suggesting that Speaker Obasa should step down as well,” he said. “But it is left to him.”

The state APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, was equally vague. When asked if Obasa would be forced to resign later, he simply responded, “That’s where we resolved it for now.”

The Legal Battle Looms

Despite his reinstatement, Obasa’s legal challenge against his removal is still pending in court. His lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), confirmed that Obasa had not yet given instructions to withdraw the case, leaving room for more twists in the unfolding drama.

Meanwhile, heavy security was deployed around the Assembly complex on Monday, as authorities braced for potential fallout from the leadership shake-up.

Meranda’s Legacy and the Politics of Obedience

As lawmakers bid farewell to Meranda’s brief leadership, emotions ran high. Many praised her for respecting the party’s decision, reinforcing the long-standing belief that in Lagos politics, party loyalty trumps all.

“She did it wholeheartedly,” said Chief Muraina. “She abided by the party’s decision.”

Even Desmond Elliot, a lawmaker representing Surulere, struggled to hold back tears as he declined to speak on the floor.

For now, Lagos has a Speaker once again, but with unresolved tensions, a pending court case, and murmurs of a future resignation, the battle for the Lagos Assembly’s leadership may be far from over.