By Olajide Durowoju
It was the end of an era when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday installed a female lawmaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, as the first female Speaker during an emergency plenary after impeaching the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
Obasa, who was on vacation in the United States, was accused of misappropriating funds, lack of transparency, and highhandedness.
It was reported that Obasa ordered the withdrawal of a staggering N43bn to purchase back-up vehicles for the lawmakers.
His impeachment came amid an alleged clandestine campaign by Obasa to be the next governor of Lagos State in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following the adoption of the motion, the 32 members of the House made the impeachment through a voice vote.
The motion was moved under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Mr Femi Saheed.
Saheed stated that in line with the provision of section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, including perpetual lateness to legislative sections and meetings.
Other accusations included highhandedness and lack of regard for members, abuse of office and privileges, intimidation, and inciting members against one another.
Saheed said, “Obasa practices an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties. He, therefore, moved the motion for impeachment.”
Subsequently, Mr Fatai Mojeed also emerged as the Assembly’s Deputy Speaker.
One of the lawmakers, Mr Abiodun Tobun, said, “This is a baton change. It is only death that is constant. Change is inevitable. Today, the members of the parliament have decided to change the leadership of the House. The Constitution clarified that the House has the power to regulate its proceedings.
“Members of the House felt they have had enough of the authoritarian style of Mudashiru Obasa’s administration, and today, we have unanimously agreed that Mojisola Meranda becomes the new Speaker of the House.
“While Mr Mojeed Adebola becomes the Deputy Speaker. As we speak, all the principal positions and committees have been dissolved.
“We have resolved to work together and ensure that we move the parliament to the next level. We cannot open our eyes and allow this parliament to go down. We hold our constituents and Lagos state a duty to protect the sanity of the House, and it is also restored. We have agreed to carry out this action to save our image and the state.”
For the new Speaker, Meranda, the Assembly members have agreed and unanimously determined to carry out their duties by ensuring the sanity of the House.
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko; Mr Abubakar Ottun has replaced him as the acting Clerk of the House.
*Other allegations against Obasa
Obasa was accused of misappropriating N6bn earmarked for constituency intervention projects, with no visible evidence of the project’s execution.
It was also alleged that Obasa collected funds to attend the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Mexico City, scheduled for September 15–20, 2024, but failed to participate.
The Speaker has faced multiple allegations of financial impropriety over the years, including accusations of diverting public funds.
Despite these claims, he has not been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
*Recent budget controversy
The latest allegations revolve around the Lagos State House of Assembly’s budget performance report for the 2023 fiscal year and the first quarter of 2024.
According to reports, the document was distributed to lawmakers by a dispatch rider.
The report allegedly detailed the House’s financial activities, including total expenditures, capital projects, and overhead costs.
Shortly after the documents were delivered, it was alleged that Obasa directed the sergeant-at-arms to retrieve the reports from lawmakers’ offices. Secretaries who were in the process of providing the documents to their principals were also reportedly instructed to hand them over immediately.
The move has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the Assembly’s financial management. Critics argue that retrieving the documents suggests an attempt to suppress critical information about the Assembly’s expenditures.
Observers, critics, and civil society groups have renewed calls for a thorough investigation into Obasa’s tenure, urging the EFCC and other relevant agencies to scrutinize the allegations of financial misconduct.
*The new Speaker, Meranda
Mrs Mojisola Meranda is the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Before her new position, Meranda worked as a procurement manager with Cirrus Nigeria Limited in the oil and gas industry between 2007 and 2008.
She returned to politics in 2008, taking active roles in the Apapa local government, first as a senior special assistant on intervention and intergovernmental affairs to the then Chairman, Ayodeji Joseph, and then as a supervisory councillor for health.
In 2014, she joined Worthline International Services Limited as head of operations. Worthline was initially registered in 2012, with Mrs. Meranda as a director.
In 2015, she was elected to the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Apapa constituency 1.
Meranda holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).
