Lagos Lawmakers Declare Stand as Details of GAC Meeting on Speakership Emerge

Twenty lawmakers from Lagos West have declared their support for Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The development comes on the heels of an emergency meeting convened by the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) to address the ongoing leadership crisis.

The crisis began when former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was removed in absentia on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of 40 Assembly members over allegations of financial misappropriation, misconduct, and high-handedness. Meranda, his former deputy, was subsequently elected as the substantive Speaker.

The development led to a split between GAC members, with some in support of Obasa and others in support of the decision of the assembly.

During Monday’s GAC meeting, which was chaired by Pa Tajudeen Olusi, leader of the GAC, the key issue discussed was the need for regional balance in the Assembly leadership.

Given that both the current Governor and newly elected Speaker hailed from Lagos Central, some GAC members advocated ceding the Speakership to Lagos West. However, this proposal was met with resistance from lawmakers from Lagos West, who affirmed their support for Meranda.

“The attempt to replace Meranda as Speaker failed. The discussions mainly focused on balancing the leadership between senatorial districts,” a source disclosed.

Despite enjoying backing from influential members of the Tinubu family and caucus, Obasa’s bid to regain the Speakership was unsuccessful.