Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, was absent from plenary on Monday, despite insisting that he remains the legitimate speaker.

The Assembly has since introduced stricter security measures, requiring officials to present valid identification to access the premises. On Monday, there was a noticeable police presence around the Assembly complex as Mojisola Meranda officially took her seat as the new Speaker.

Monday’s plenary marked the third session presided over by Meranda since Obasa’s removal, with the ousted Speaker absent from the last two sittings.

In a show of unity, 39 lawmakers, including Meranda, gathered for a group photograph to dispel rumours of division within the Assembly. The photograph followed speculations that tensions had escalated after Obasa publicly rejected his impeachment, claiming due process was not followed.

During the session, Meranda was expected to appoint chairpersons for standing committees to oversee Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.