Mudashiru Obasa, the lawmaker representing Agege Constituency I, has been re-elected as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Obasa’s re-election took place on Monday following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down as Speaker of the House. His return to the position came after his nomination by Noheem Adams, a former Majority Leader of the House and representative of Eti-Osa Constituency I.

Obasa subsequently took the oath of office, reclaiming his role as Speaker seven weeks after his removal.

His dramatic reinstatement coincided with Meranda’s decision to resign. Meranda, the first female Speaker in the state’s history, announced her resignation during plenary, after which lawmakers swiftly re-elected her as Deputy Speaker.

Her colleagues praised her leadership style, acknowledging her role in restoring stability to the Assembly. They also commended her resilience and humility in adhering to the directives of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Meranda’s resignation reportedly followed a meeting with senior APC members in Lagos, aimed at resolving the leadership crisis that had gripped the House for seven weeks.

Similarly, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai, representing Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I, also resigned from his position, citing the best interests of the Assembly. Lawmakers subsequently re-elected him as Chief Whip.

In another leadership reshuffle, Chief Whip Setonji David, representing Badagry Constituency II, stepped down and was re-elected as Deputy Chief Whip. Okanlawon Sanni, representing Kosofe Constituency I, also resigned as Deputy Chief Whip.

The leadership crisis in the Assembly escalated on 13 January 2025, when Obasa was removed as Speaker by a two-thirds majority of the 40-member House over allegations of misconduct and other infractions.

Following his removal, his then-deputy, Meranda, was elected as Speaker, marking a historic moment as the first woman to lead the legislative body in Lagos State.

However, on 25 January 2025, Obasa vehemently rejected his removal, insisting that he remained the legitimate Speaker until due process was followed. He criticised the heavy security presence at the Assembly complex during his impeachment and argued that the process was invalid as it took place while he was out of the country.

Despite Obasa’s objections, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda maintained that his removal was final and reaffirmed her position as Speaker.

Tensions at the Assembly complex intensified on 17 February 2025, when security operatives clashed with some legislative staff over their presence in the chambers. In response, 36 lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in an emotional Meranda before adjourning indefinitely.

On 27 February 2025, Obasa made a dramatic return to the Assembly complex, escorted by a heavily armed security detail as he entered the chambers. His reappearance marked his first since his removal on 13 January.

Despite objections from colleagues who reaffirmed their loyalty to Meranda, Obasa insisted that he remained the Speaker of the House, further deepening the leadership crisis within the Assembly.