Meranda Steps Down: Lagos Assembly Faces Another Shake-Up

Meranda Steps Down: Lagos Assembly Faces Another Shake-Up

By Ricky Awodi

Lagos, Nigeria – In a surprising political development, Mojisola Meranda has resigned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, barely two months after assuming office.

Meranda announced her resignation at a special plenary session on Monday, reading her letter before the lawmakers. Her resignation follows growing speculation that her predecessor, Mudashiru Obasa, is set for reinstatement after his controversial removal.

> “This is a notice of resignation as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” she declared, marking an abrupt end to her tenure, which began on January 13, 2025.

The Fallout of Obasa’s Ouster

Meranda’s emergence as Speaker was a direct consequence of Obasa’s removal—a move that had been mired in allegations of financial misconduct and power struggles within the Lagos political establishment. Despite her short tenure, colleagues praised her for maintaining stability in the House amid turbulent times.

However, tensions within the Assembly never fully settled. Just weeks ago, Meranda had openly criticized Obasa’s conduct, calling it “a show of shame.” Yet, his allies never relented in their push for his reinstatement.

With her resignation, all principal officers appointed alongside her have also stepped down, raising fresh questions about the power dynamics at play.

The Road to Reinstatement?

Sources close to the Assembly suggest that Obasa’s return is all but certain, pending a legal challenge scheduled for hearing on March 7. If he is reinstated, it would mark a dramatic reversal of fortune, highlighting the deep-seated political interests shaping Lagos politics.

For Meranda, stepping down could be seen as either a political maneuver or a forced decision amid mounting pressure. Either way, the Lagos Assembly remains in flux, with its leadership crisis far from over.

As the dust settles, the bigger question remains: Is this a true leadership transition, or merely another chapter in Lagos’ political chess game?