The political landscape of Lagos State is currently engulfed in a dramatic leadership crisis as Speaker Mojisola Meranda takes charge of the Lagos State House of Assembly, defying mounting pressure and an unprecedented security invasion by the Department of State Services (DSS).
On Monday, the situation reached a boiling point when heavily armed operatives from the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force stormed the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, at around 10 a.m., effectively sealing the offices of key figures, including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and the Clerk of the House. The operation left many in the state stunned, with rumors swirling about the growing rift within the Assembly leadership.
Despite the turmoil, Meranda, unfazed by the commotion and backed by a fervent crowd of supporters, confidently presided over the legislative session later in the day. The Speaker’s entrance to the chambers was met with cheers from her loyalists, signaling her resolve to maintain control of the Assembly amidst the political storm.
The crisis within the Assembly traces its roots to the recent removal of Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker, who was controversially impeached while abroad. Since the impeachment, tensions have been running high, with Obasa refusing to accept the legality of the decision. In response, the embattled ex-Speaker filed a motion at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court on February 12, 2025, requesting an expedited hearing of his suit challenging the impeachment. The motion names both the Lagos State House of Assembly and Meranda as defendants in the case.
Obasa, through his legal team led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, is asking the court for a series of reliefs, including an order for an expedited hearing, and a reduction in the time allowed for filing responses and counter affidavits. The application rests on various constitutional provisions, as well as the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, the House remains divided, with Meranda firmly in control of the chambers. This high-stakes drama in Lagos politics is far from over, as the leadership crisis, the ongoing court proceedings, and the threat of further DSS involvement cast a long shadow over the state’s governance.
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