Details Of Tinubu’s Meeting With Obasa, Meranda Emerge
President Bola Tinubu has brought an end to the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He urged the 39 lawmakers to support Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
The decision follows months of political tension that had threatened the stability of the House.
The trouble started on January 13, 2025, when 35 out of 40 lawmakers removed Obasa from office.
They accused him of ruling with an iron hand, misusing funds, and making decisions without consulting others.
His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was chosen to replace him as Speaker.
However, after weeks of negotiations, pressure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both national and state levels led to a change.
On March 3, Meranda stepped down, paving the way for Obasa to return as Speaker.
She then resumed her former role as Deputy Speaker.
The final settlement came after all 40 lawmakers met with President Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday.
After discussions, they agreed to work together for the progress of the Assembly and Lagos State.
In another development, Mudashiru Obasa, has asked for armed security personnel to be stationed at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
This request follows a leadership crisis and conflicting court rulings that have disrupted legislative activities.
A letter signed by the Clerk of the House, O.B. Onafeko, and sent to the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), revealed that Obasa wants security reinforcements for lawmakers, staff, and the Assembly premises.
The plan includes deploying NSCDC officers alongside 20 private security guards to safeguard the area.
The crisis worsened after the National Industrial Court clarified that it never ordered Onafeko’s reinstatement as Clerk, contradicting claims from Obasa’s camp.
Instead, the court only advised both sides to maintain peace until further hearings. However, on March 12, Justice M.N. Esowe expressed surprise at Onafeko’s forceful return to the Assembly Secretariat, where security officers reportedly assisted in removing Acting Clerk Taiwo Ottun.
Legal representatives for the Assembly accused Onafeko of misleading the public and misinterpreting court rulings to justify his actions.
With tensions rising, the court has scheduled March 18 for a hearing on pending applications related to the dispute.
