Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has announced his return to office, asserting that he remains the parliament’s leader despite his earlier removal.
Obasa made the declaration on Thursday after resuming at the assembly complex for the first time since his ousting on January 13. He arrived at the premises accompanied by police and State Security Service (SSS) operatives.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa stated confidently.
His return comes amid ongoing political tensions, following the withdrawal of security aides assigned to his successor, Mojisola Meranda. The assembly has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal and Meranda’s subsequent election as Speaker.
Obasa was reportedly removed by a majority of lawmakers who accused him of poor leadership, high-handedness, habitual lateness to legislative functions, and disregard for fellow legislators and the executive.
In a bid to resolve the crisis, prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders—including former governors Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode—held reconciliation meetings last weekend on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Sources indicate that both Obasa and Meranda may step aside for another lawmaker to assume the speakership, with a member from Lagos West being considered as a potential replacement.
