Mudashiru Obasa has been reinstated as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda. Obasa was sworn in on Monday, reclaiming the position he previously held before his removal in January. His reinstatement comes after Meranda stepped down, citing the need to resolve the leadership crisis that had engulfed the House.

Mojisola Meranda officially resigned as Speaker during Monday’s plenary session, describing her decision as a “personal sacrifice towards resolving the grave leadership crisis rocking this assembly.”

“It is with every sense of responsibility that I hereby give you notice of my decision to resign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, with effect from today, 3rd March, 2025. I did not arrive at this decision lightly. Indeed, I took it in careful consideration of all the primary and intricate circumstances that are connected with my election as Speaker on the 13th of January, 2025,” Meranda stated.

She acknowledged the political turmoil surrounding her tenure and emphasized her commitment to ensuring the stability of the Assembly and upholding democratic principles. “On the one hand, I am in a recent political turmoil that is threatening the cohesion of this honourable House. On the other hand, we are the representatives of the good people of Lagos, with a mandate to protect our democracy and ensure good governance. I am a good student of political history, and in this regard, I know that this is a point at which, as your leader, I have to make a selfless sacrifice to resign in order to protect the peace of the situation.”

Meranda expressed gratitude to her colleagues for their support, highlighting the historic nature of her tenure as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly. “With your support, I made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and I value and cherish your solidarity,” she said.

She further stated, “I am sincerely grateful to each of you for your support and collaboration during my short but very interesting tenure. I leave this position as the right honourable Speaker of this House, and I shall continue to serve my good people of Apapa Constituency I in particular, and Lagos in general. Thank you for finding me worthy to lead this distinguished and honourable Assembly.”

Meranda affirmed that her decision was not a retreat but a strategic move to prevent further conflict and embarrassment to the Assembly. “I am not a quitter. However, I took the above decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment. Accordingly, and in deference to our esteemed political leaders, I have agreed to yet again make a personal sacrifice by stepping down as the Speaker of this great Assembly.”