UPDATED: Lagos Assembly rallies around Speaker Meranda, cautions Obasa against heating up polity –Official

*The Lagos State House of Assembly emphasises that it stands by its January 13 position of the majority of members to remove former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, and nothing has changed, warning him to toe the line of peace and harmony instead of heating up the polity in the state

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following the recent election of Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA), the state lawmakers have cautioned former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa against actions capable of destabilising the Legislative arm of government and heating the polity.

It was learnt the warning came on the heels of Obasa’s latest statements Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Lagos, while addressing his supporters upon his arrival from the United States (US).

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos (3rd right); Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly (middle), Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, with the Some Principal Officers of LSHA and State Executive Council, During the Speaker’s Recent Courtesy Visit to the Lagos House, Ikeja

The former Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, who was removed over alleged mismanagement, high-handedness and corrupt practices, has maintained that his removal from office did not follow due process.

Reacting to Obasa’s alibi at the weekend, Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, in a statement titled: Impeachment -NothingbHas Changed”, issued on behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, restated the legislators’ solidarity with new House Speaker Meranda, affirming their firm stance on the impeachment decision taken January 13 this year.

Lagos Assembly stands by decision to impeach Obasa, says Ogundipe

Ogundipe stated: “It is imperative to clarify that over 2/3 of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are solidly united behind the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, therefore, we stood by the decision taken January 13, 2025, where Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was impeached and we shall defend our positions to the latter.

“As elected representative of the people of Lagos, we owe them good governance and harmonious relationship with other arms of government.”

The state lawmakers also emphasised that the position of the House remains the same, and nothing has changed.

ConsumerConnect reports Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagis State recently received Speaker Meranda and her team of Principal Officers at Lagos House, at Lauasa-Ikeja, the state capital.

The House Speaker, during the courtesy visit, and members of the State Executive Council also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a harmonious working relationship in the cosmopolitan state, in Nigeria.

Hon. Ogundipe also stated: “The position being canvassed by former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Obasa is uncalled for and unparliamentary.

“The majority of members elected Rt. Hon. Mudashiru  Obasa as Speaker for the 10th Assembly, and we also at the said plenary took majority  decision to remove him and stand  by the new Speaker. So, nothing has changed.”

The state legislators further explained that members were elected from their various constituencies across the state.

Lagos lawmakers warn Obasa against heating up polity

The LSHA noted: “We all have the inalienable rights under the necessary Statutory orders to remove their Principal Officers, including the Speaker.

“I, therefore, appeal to the former Speaker to toe the line of peace and harmony as being followed by others, as the current intransigent posture will heat up the polity and not augur well.”

The Lagos Assembly asserted that any attempt to heat up the polity would be resisted by “the majority of distinguished members who unanimously elected Rt. Hon. Meranda.

“Peace we want in Lagos and Peace we will achieve.”

Obasa absent from House plenary Monday, January 27

Meanwhile, Obasa was absent from plenary Monday, January 27, despite insisting that he remains the authentic Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly.

The Assembly as well instructed its officials to henceforth, present valid identity (ID) Cards to access the LSHA premises, signalling tightened security at the complex.

As the Lagos lawmakers resumed the plenary Monday, there was also a heavy presence of police officers around the premises Rt. Hon. Meranda officially assumed office as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Monday’s plenary is the third session presided over by Meranda since Obasa’s removal, with the former speaker absent at the last two sittings, according to report.

It was also learnt that at the plenary Monday, the rest of the state legislators numbering 39, including the current Speaker Meranda, except Obasa, were seen gathering within the premises of the assembly for a group photograph.

The photograph is to clear the air about speculations doing the rounds, that there are cracks within the House, since Obasa broke his silence about his impeachment at the weekend.

It is equally expected that Meranda, at the Monday session, would appoint Chairmen of Standing Committees of the House to oversee activities of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Lagos State.

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