THE SPEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has resigned from office. She announced her resignation at plenary on Monday in Ikeja.
Meranda became the first female speaker after Mudashiru Obasa, the former speaker, was impeached by his colleagues on January 13, 2025 for alleged misconduct.
The impeachment of Obasa and subsequent election of Meranda had plunged the State Assembly into crisis.
Last Thursday, Obasa however returned to the Assembly complex for the first time since he was impeached, claiming he was never removed.
Before then, he had challenged his impeachment in court.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in the state, met with Meranda and Obasa on how to put an end to the festering crisis, with pro-Obasa lawmakers and those who had pledged support for Meranda present at the meeting.
Announcing her resignation, Meranda said she was not a quitter, but took the decision to end in the crisis in the House and save the Assembly embarrassment.
“It is with every sense of responsibility that I hereby give you notice of my decision to resign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly with effect from today, 3rd of March, 2025. I did not arrive at this decision lightly, Indeed, I took into careful consideration all the integral circumstances that related with my election as Speaker on January 13, 2025.
“I have to make this selfless sacrifice to resign in order to protect this institution, with your unflinching support.
“I made history as the first female Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly and I value and cherish the solidarity freely given to me.
“I am not a quitter; however, I took the decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflicts and embarrassment,” Meranda said, adding: “I am entranced by the dialogue of personal messages, phone calls, public shows of support and groundswell of solidarity from a broad spectrum of our society.”
Meranda said the nation was blessed with great men and women of honour, adding that it was her earnest hope that the leadership of the great party would continue to provide guidance and support for the aspiration of the people.
She thanked the people of Lagos for their understanding and support.
Shortly after the announcement, lawmakers took turns to praise Meranda for her leadership role for the 49 days of her speakership, describing her as a heroine of democracy.
Obasa regains position
Meanwhile, following the resignation of Meranda, the impeached Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, was restored as Speaker of the House.
Obasa’s restoration as speaker followed the nomination of a former Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency 1.
In another dramatic turn, Meranda was to be re-elected as the deputy speaker. She was praised by her colleagues for her leadership and efforts in maintaining peace within the Assembly.
They also commended her for adhering to the rules of the All Progressives Congress (APC), demonstrating both strength and humility throughout her time in office as speaker.
Flashback
The crisis began on January 13, 2025, when Obasa was removed by more than two-thirds of the 40-member House over alleged misconduct, after which Meranda, the deputy speaker at the time, was elected as the new Speaker, making history as the first female to hold the position in the South-West.
Obasa, who was out of the country at the time, however rejected his removal claiming it was unjust. In response, 36 lawmakers backed Meranda and affirmed her election as Speaker.
Tensions intensified on February 17, 2025, when a confrontation broke out between security personnel and legislative workers over Obasa’s absence from the Assembly.
Nevertheless, Meranda’s supporters passed a vote of confidence in her leadership, leading to an indefinite adjournment of the sitting.
In his first appearance at the Assembly since being removed as Speaker, Obasa, on February 27, 2025, made a triumphant entry in the company of armed security personnel, and once again asserted his claim to the position.
