By Augustine Akhilomen
…Body To Appeal To President To Allow Her Finish Her Tenure
The intrigues that followed the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of Lagos State Assembly and the various attempts to remove his replacement, Mrs Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, appeared to have hit the rock with the renewed backing by the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of Meranda.
The GAC leaders and some of the members were summoned to Abuja by President Bola Tinubu when he came back from his trip and he was said to have expressed strong reservation to the way and manner the former Speaker removed without his tacit approval.
The President according to a top APC leader, who craved anonymity, was visibly angry with the lawmakers and with the elders, who according to him, shouldn’t have been in haste in changing the zoning arrangement in the state all in an attempt to remove Obasa.
“Having voiced his reservation to what happened in his absence, the President then told the GAC leaders to go back home and ensure that the zoning arrangement is duly followed. Meaning that Meranda will be told to resign and a lawmaker from Lagos West should replace her”, said the source.
He continued: “That was the reason behind the emergency GAC meeting that took place on Monday at Lagos House, Marina. At the meeting, presided by Baba Tajudeen Olusi, it was generally agreed by the members that the directive of their leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, be followed to the letter. Baba Olusi then called on leaders from the West to nominate a lawmaker from the zone to replace Meranda.
“The Lagos West leaders then went out of the meeting to discuss. After some minutes they came back to tell the leaders that they have had fruitful discussion among themselves and have resolved to support Meranda to continue till 2027. They said it was a unanimous decision that the zone should allow her to continue till the end of the current assembly.
“Thereafter the matter was thrown up for discussion and the elders had little option but to agree with the position of Lagos West that Meranda should be allowed to continue. They are however expected to see Asiwaju later this week to inform him about the need to allow the new Speaker to remain. I’m sure with the outcome of Monday’s meeting, they should be able to convince the President to allow the speaker to stay”.
Even then, it was gathered that the President was not comfortable with Meranda becoming the Speaker, given her close relationship with an influential monarch in the state. This, according to sources, was why Asiwaju insisted that the zoning arrangement in the state be maintained.
It would be recalled that Lawmakers unanimously decided to remove Obasa from his position, accusing him of gross misconduct, abuse of power, and financial mismanagement.
His tenure, which was over ten years, ended in a dramatic session marked by tension and heightened security at the Assembly complex.
Lawmakers cited numerous allegations against Obasa, including perpetual lateness to legislative sittings and meetings, high-handedness, and an authoritarian leadership style. He was also accused of intimidating and inciting lawmakers against one another, gross abuse of office, and a lack of accountability in handling Assembly funds.
These claims were presented in a motion raised by Femi Saheed, who described Obasa’s leadership as detrimental to the integrity of the Assembly. The motion moved under a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, called for his immediate removal in accordance with constitutional provisions.
A voice vote was eventually called, and following the consent of thirty-two lawmakers, the motion was adopted, sealing Obasa’s impeachment.