Lagos Speakership Crisis: APC Heavyweights Intervene As Obasa, Meranda May Step Down
- The Lagos state House of Assembly speakership crisis may soon be resolved as senior APC leaders, including Chief Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba, have intervened
- Following this move, the impeached speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and the current speaker Mojisola Meranda may step aside to allow another lawmaker from Lagos West to assume leadership
- Interestingly, APC leaders have submitted seven names for consideration, with David Setonji emerging as a strong contender due to his experience and seniority in the House
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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The speakership crisis rocking the Lagos state House of Assembly has taken a fresh twist following the intervention of heavyweights in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Source: Twitter
As reported by The Punch on Tuesday, February 25, the impeached speaker, Mudashiru Obasa and the current speaker, Mojisola Meranda, might step aside for another lawmaker to lead the House.
This followed the intervention of the APC bigwigs, notably former governors of Osun, Ogun and Lagos states, namely Chief Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, respectively, among others.
On Sunday, February 23, Osoba, Ambode, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and all the GAC members met at the Governor’s Lodge in Marina over the crisis, to find a lasting solution.
The high-powered APC delegation was directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve the political tension at the Lagos Assembly, following the inability of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to find a solution.
Speaking after the meeting, a GAC member, Chief Muraina Taiwo, told The Punch on Monday, February 24, that one of the seven lawmakers from Lagos West was being considered by the party leaders as the new speaker.
He added that the names of seven lawmakers from Lagos West have been submitted for consideration but their details have not yet been released.
The GAC member said:
“The seven of them are ranking members in Lagos West. They are the ones whose names will be submitted to President Tinubu.”
Who takes over from Meranda?
Source: Twitter
As reported by Vanguard, sources said David Setonji is being considered as the new speaker based on his experience and seniority.
A top source in the Lagos APC said:
“Setonji from Badagry is being considered among them. He is the one who is not like a first-timer among those in the West.”
Following this move, another top source in the Lagos APC confirmed on Monday, February 24, that part of the resolutions being considered was for Obasa to withdraw the suit against the assembly and Meranda in court.
How Lagos Assembly crisis began
Meanwhile, the crisis began at the House on January 13, 2025, when about 36 lawmakers removed Obasa as speaker and replaced him with Meranda, the then-deputy speaker.
Obasa, who was away in Atlanta, United States, when he was removed, had since faulted his removal and insisted he was still the speaker, even as his colleagues in the House remained adamant.
Read more about the Lagos Assembly crisis:
- Lagos Assembly: Obasa clarifies firearms allegations as Meranda addresses resignation rumour
- Obasa vs Meranda: Lagos Assembly breaks silence on allegations linking Remi Tinubu to leadership crisis
Atiku blasts Tinubu over Lagos assembly crisis
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, reacted to the sealing of the Lagos Assembly by DSS operatives.
Atiku tackled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to stop interfering in Lagos state assembly matters.
The former vice president called for urgent interrogation following the invitation of security operatives.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
