Impeached Speaker Obasa Forces His Way into Lagos Assembly Amid Heightened Tensions and Security Concerns
Lagos, February 27, 2025 – In an alarming turn of events, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has made an audacious return to the Assembly complex, surrounded by a heavy security presence. Video footage obtained by SaharaReporters shows Obasa entering the legislative building accompanied by a substantial security entourage, including police officers, despite being officially removed from office over a month ago.
The development marks an escalation in the ongoing power struggle within the Lagos Assembly, which has seen tensions rise following Obasa’s controversial impeachment on January 13, 2025. His removal, prompted by allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, led to the swearing-in of his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, as the new Speaker. However, Obasa has vehemently rejected the process, claiming it was carried out unlawfully and in violation of constitutional procedures. He has vowed to challenge the impeachment in court, with his legal team indicating no intention to withdraw the suit.
Obasa’s return to the Assembly comes at a time of intense political instability, amplified by the withdrawal of all security personnel assigned to Speaker Meranda. SaharaReporters reported that as of Thursday morning, police officers and other security details protecting Meranda have been abruptly withdrawn, leaving the new Speaker exposed to potential threats. The withdrawal has raised concerns about Meranda’s safety amidst the ongoing leadership crisis, with her spokesperson, Ganzallo Victor, confirming that the authorities have not provided any explanation for the decision.
This security vacuum follows a series of legal and political maneuvers that have further complicated the situation. In a recent court ruling, the National Industrial Court in Lagos reinstated Olalekan Onafeko as the Clerk of the House, a position he held before Obasa’s ouster. This decision has only intensified the ongoing feud within the Assembly, with some lawmakers and political observers expressing fears about the legislative stability and adherence to judicial rulings.
Obasa, who had been out of the country at the time of his removal, returned to Lagos in late January, asserting that he remained the legitimate Speaker of the Assembly. He has repeatedly contended that his impeachment was a sham, alleging that the necessary constitutional procedures were not followed. His stance has continued to provoke a divided response, with some legislators rallying behind him, while others have supported Meranda’s leadership.
Despite these internal divisions, the Lagos Assembly is grappling with the fallout from Obasa’s impeachment, which has led to a broader rift within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). On February 4, members of the Assembly publicly apologized to President Bola Tinubu for their role in Obasa’s ouster, following pressure from the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos APC. The apology came after a meeting between APC leaders, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the lawmakers, where it was suggested that the impeachment was carried out without proper consultation with key party figures.
The political turbulence surrounding Obasa’s impeachment has drawn sharp criticism from some APC members, who have described the process as a violation of party protocol and governance norms. Tensions within the party were laid bare when GAC members, including Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, publicly opposed Obasa’s removal, calling it illegal and a misstep. However, their dissent was swiftly dismissed by others, including Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who sought to downplay the controversy and called for a united front within the party.
The ongoing battle for control of the Lagos Assembly has raised significant concerns about the future of the state’s legislative processes and governance. With both legal and political forces at play, it remains to be seen how the crisis will be resolved, and whether the Assembly can regain the stability needed to function effectively.
As the court date for Obasa’s challenge approaches, all eyes will be on the judicial ruling, which could have far-reaching implications for the power dynamics within the Lagos Assembly and the wider APC. Until then, the political crisis seems far from over, with the return of Obasa and the withdrawal of Meranda’s security personnel only adding fuel to the already volatile situation.
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