Attempts by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as some influential members of the family of President Bola Tinubu to return the removed speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa to his position has collapsed.
It is recalled that Obasa was removed on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of 40 Assembly members over allegations of financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness, and was replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda,who has now become the substantive Speaker.
Obasa was away in the University States of America with seven other members of the House when the impeachment took place.
His removal caused conflict among members of the Governance Advisory Council, the highest political decision making body in the state.
Following his removal, rumours were rife that the embattled former Speaker is making several moves to reclaim his position by contacting his loyalists in the party including some influential members of the President’s family and GAC members who are sympathetic to his plight.
On Monday, GAC members convened an emergency meeting at the Lagos House, Marina,with members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to address the leadership crisis in the House.
At the meeting chaired by the leader of the body, Tajudeen Olusi, which lasted for several hours, concerns were raised by some GAC on the need for regional balance in the assembly leadership.
It was noted by some GAC members that since Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the new Speaker, Meranda hails from Lagos Centra, the Speakership position should be given to Lagos West which would have led to the new Speaker vacating her new position.
The move to remove Meranda was seen by lawmakers at the meeting as a way of paving way for Obasa to return with a source privy to the discussion at the meeting saying that from influential members of the Tinubu family and caucus had been pressuring some GAC members to take action and support Obasa’s return as the Speaker.
However, the move collapsed as 20 lawmakers from Lagos West stood up and countered the attempt to remove Meranda.
They insisted they were in full support of the new Speaker, rejected the GAC’s proposal and effectively solidified her position as Speaker.
Their stance prompted jubilation among other lawmakers and assembly staff who expressed joy at the removal of the former Speaker.