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Speaker Meranda criticized ousted Speaker Obasa’s controversial plenary with four lawmakers, calling it a “show of shame” lacking quorum
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Obasa’s forceful return escalated tensions, with legal battles ongoing and stakeholders urging resolution to restore Assembly order
Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, has strongly criticized the plenary session conducted by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, calling it a “show of shame.”
The crisis within the Assembly deepened on Thursday when Obasa made a dramatic return, presiding over a session with only four lawmakers. However, the remaining 36 legislators insisted that Obasa’s removal was final and reaffirmed their loyalty to Meranda.
Despite filing a lawsuit to challenge his removal on January 13, Obasa, a six-term lawmaker representing Agege Constituency I, was ousted for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Meranda, representing Apapa I, was elected as the new Speaker, a move that has divided the Assembly and the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Reports suggest that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unhappy with Obasa’s removal, adding further pressure on Meranda.
The turmoil escalated when Obasa’s security details were reinstated, while Meranda’s were temporarily withdrawn, enabling Obasa’s return to the Assembly. However, her security aides were later restored.
Obasa arrived at the Assembly with heavy security and hundreds of supporters, who gathered outside, singing and celebrating his return. He proceeded to lead a plenary session with only four lawmakers—Hon. Nuraini Akinsanya (Mushin I), Hon. Kazeem Olayinka Eso (Mushin II), Hon. Jubreel Kareem (Agege II), and Hon. Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa I). Reports indicate that security operatives forced open the chamber doors to grant Obasa and his supporters access.
Meanwhile, the Lagos High Court in Ikeja has ordered that all Assembly members be included in Obasa’s lawsuit. Justice Yetunde Pinheiro scheduled March 7 to hear pending applications. Meranda’s 35 loyal lawmakers were present at the court hearing, where they also filed an application to join the case as defendants.
Reacting to Obasa’s controversial plenary, Meranda dismissed it as a mere spectacle, emphasizing that a valid session requires a quorum. “To me, it was just a show of shame. In our work, we need numbers to form a quorum. If you are sitting with only three or four members, you are just performing theatre,” she said.
She also condemned Obasa’s forceful entry into the Assembly. “He is still a member, so he has the right to visit. But the invasion and breaking into my office—that’s a serious issue,” she stated.
Meranda revealed that her full security detail had not yet been restored. “Right now, I have three or four policemen, but my normal security team consists of 12 policemen, four DSS operatives, and two anti-bomb officers. I don’t have that at the moment,” she said.
On the legal battle, she urged patience, saying, “Let the legal team do their job.”
The situation remains tense as the power struggle within the Lagos Assembly continues.
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