Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have dismissed reports suggesting they participated in a reconciliation meeting with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Obasa was reinstated on Monday, March 3, 2025, after Mojisola Meranda resigned under pressure from influential party leaders and political stakeholders.
By Tuesday, March 4, 2025, claims emerged that the reinstated Speaker had met with lawmakers in an effort to mend strained relationships. However, several members of the Assembly have refuted this, insisting that the gathering had no connection to reconciliation efforts.
Lawmakers Express Frustration Over Speaker’s Conduct
One of the lawmakers, speaking anonymously to Vanguard, emphasized that the issues that initially led to Obasa’s removal had resurfaced almost immediately after his return.
“One of the major reasons we voted for his removal happened again. The meeting was scheduled for 1 p.m., but it didn’t start until 2:30 p.m. We were kept waiting without any explanation or apology for the delay,” the lawmaker stated.
According to him, Obasa merely acknowledged the lawmakers’ lingering dissatisfaction with the circumstances surrounding his return before proceeding with the agenda. “None of us actively contributed to the meeting because of the manner in which his reinstatement was imposed on us,” he added.
Meeting Focused on Suspended Clerk’s Legal Case
Another legislator, who also preferred to remain unnamed, clarified that while a meeting did take place, it was primarily to discuss an ongoing legal case involving the suspended Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko.
“The court case is coming up on Thursday, and we were concerned about his decision to involve the Department of State Services (DSS). This intervention led to the arrest and questioning of some of our colleagues, which we found unnecessary given that it is a civil matter,” he explained.
He further stressed that apart from discussing this legal issue, the meeting was brief and lacked any real dialogue about reconciliation.
Discontent Within the Assembly Persists
Despite Obasa’s reinstatement, dissatisfaction remains widespread among the lawmakers, with many still unwilling to support his leadership.
“Our decision to allow his return was not made out of loyalty or personal conviction,” another House member admitted. “We only did it out of deep respect for our party elders, particularly Baba Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba. Even now, in our hearts, we still do not want him as Speaker.”
The lawmaker warned that the ongoing internal discontent could negatively impact the Assembly’s ability to function effectively.
“We are still waiting for him to step down and fulfill the agreement reached with the Baba Akande-led committee. The only way to restore the peace and progress we had before his return is for him to honor that commitment,” he concluded.
Political Implications
The unresolved tensions within the Lagos State House of Assembly highlight the deep divisions among lawmakers following Obasa’s controversial reinstatement. While party elders may have played a role in securing his return, the continued resistance from Assembly members suggests that further political maneuvering may be required to stabilize the legislature.
