Democracy Under Strain: Power Struggles Threaten Lagos Assembly’s Independence
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State House of Assembly finds itself embroiled in a constitutional crisis that reveals the fragile nature of local democracy, as powerful forces maneuver to reverse the recent removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Less than a month after Mojisola Meranda made history as the Assembly’s first female speaker, sources close to the legislature reveal an orchestrated campaign to remove her through political manipulation. The plan, according to multiple sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, involves installing a temporary speaker from Ikeja constituency who would later step aside to facilitate Obasa’s return.
This development has raised alarm among democratic watchdogs. “What we’re seeing is a disturbing pattern of extra-constitutional interference in legislative affairs,” says Benjamin Mokwunye, a prominent political analyst. “The Assembly should be an independent body, not a chess piece in political power games.”
The crisis has exposed the powerful influence of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), an unofficial body that has maintained significant control over Lagos politics since the Bola Tinubu governorship era. Meranda’s immediate visit to the GAC for their “blessings” after her election has drawn criticism from democracy advocates who question the role of unelected bodies in legislative matters.
Further complicating the situation is alleged federal pressure from Abuja to reinstate Obasa, despite serious accusations of financial misappropriation and misconduct that led to his removal. “The federal government’s apparent interference in state legislative affairs represents a dangerous precedent,” notes a senior APC chieftain who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.
The political drama has overshadowed pressing legislative business, including oversight of the state’s development projects. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has maintained a conspicuous silence on the matter, though sources suggest tensions between his office and the former speaker played a role in recent events.
Meanwhile, Assembly members’ recent praise for President Tinubu’s economic policies has been viewed by observers as an attempt to curry federal favor during the crisis. Their claims of improved GDP and currency strength contrast sharply with the economic realities facing most Lagos residents.
“This crisis goes beyond personality conflicts,” explains Dr. Aisha Mohammed, a political science professor at the University of Lagos. “It exposes fundamental weaknesses in our democratic institutions and the continuing influence of informal power structures over constitutional governance.”
As the Assembly reconvenes tomorrow, all eyes are on whether Meranda can maintain her position against mounting pressure. The outcome may determine not just the leadership of the Lagos Assembly, but the future of legislative independence in Nigeria’s most populous state.
The situation remains fluid, with multiple factions vying for control. Several lawmakers have publicly pledged loyalty to Meranda, but political observers note that such declarations often prove temporary in Lagos politics. The coming weeks will likely determine whether institutional integrity or political machinations prevail in the state’s legislative chamber.
For now, the crisis serves as a stark reminder that despite democratic progress, Nigeria’s political institutions remain vulnerable to manipulation by powerful interests operating outside constitutional boundaries.
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Democracy Under Strain: Power Struggles Threaten Lagos Assembly’s Independence