The power struggle in Lagos State has thrown Nigeria’s commercial capital into turmoil. The crisis began with the impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who had led the Lagos State House of Assembly for a decade. Lawmakers removed him on January 13 while he was out of the city, igniting a fierce battle within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obasa, known for his strong ties to President Bola Tinubu, dismissed allegations of fraud and declared that his removal was unconstitutional. “I believe I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it,” he told supporters. His long tenure as Speaker was largely due to Tinubu’s backing, which helped him maintain influence over Lagos politics.
“Tinubu’s style is simple. He picks governors and also the Speaker, who has the power to impeach the governor anytime such a governor steps out of line. This has helped him maintain control of Lagos,” an aide to the president revealed.
However, within the Lagos political landscape, many viewed Obasa’s perceived invincibility as arrogance. His actions, including publicly challenging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and arriving late to the presentation of the 2025 budget, were found unsettling. During his speech at the event, he declared himself qualified to be governor, a statement seen as an insult to the state’s leadership.
During Tinubu’s visit to Lagos over the Christmas holidays, members of the influential Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC) reportedly raised several complaints against Obasa. Tinubu rebuked him and advised him to apologize, but he refused. This defiance, combined with ongoing corruption allegations, set the stage for his removal.
While Obasa’s impeachment was not directly sanctioned by Tinubu, some Lagos politicians believed they had the green light to replace him. On January 13, lawmakers voted him out in absentia and installed Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker.
Obasa, facing allegations of diverting public funds, was expected to accept his fate. Instead, he fought back. On February 27, he stormed the Assembly complex with heavy security, occupied the Speaker’s office, and resumed duties. His supporters laid siege to the Assembly, demanding his reinstatement. The standoff escalated when the Department of State Services (DSS) sealed off the building, preventing lawmakers from holding a plenary. Undeterred, legislators forced their way into the chambers, held a session under tense conditions, and adjourned indefinitely while affirming their support for Meranda.
Amid the chaos, three Assembly staff members were arrested and are currently on trial for allegedly assaulting DSS operatives. Obasa has taken the legal route, filing a lawsuit against Meranda and 36 lawmakers to challenge his removal. The Ikeja Court has scheduled a hearing for March 7. In other news, iNaijanow shared a post on the alleged invasion of the Lagos state house of assembly by DSS officials.
To prevent further unrest, Acting Clerk Babatunde Ottun issued a directive on March 3, instructing all Assembly staff, legislative aides, and LAHASCOM employees to work remotely until further notice. The memo cited concerns over potential violence and emphasized the need to maintain order. Despite the ongoing dispute, Lagos State Head of Service Bode Agoro has formally recognized Meranda’s leadership and urged staff to cooperate with the new administration.
The battle for the Lagos Speakership is far from over. With legal proceedings ahead and political alliances shifting, the coming weeks will determine who truly holds power in Nigeria’s most politically influential state.
