Key Highlights: Lagos State Assembly Drama: Obasa Returns, Meranda Steps Down After weeks of internal political turmoil, the Lagos State House of Assembly has reinstated its former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda. The crisis, which had divided the lawmakers, was eventually settled through interventions by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both state and national levels. Political Maneuvering Behind the Resolution Obasa’s return was not without resistance. After being removed from office by 33 out of 39 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, and replaced by Meranda, tensions escalated, prompting intervention from key political figures, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. A series of closed-door meetings resulted in a compromise that saw Meranda stepping down to restore stability within the Assembly. An inside source affirmed that Obasa will not resign again, stating, “He is back for good.” Meranda, on the other hand, expressed her stance by saying, “I am not a quitter.” Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Role in the Resolution Governor Sanwo-Olu reportedly held multiple mediation meetings with APC leadership and Assembly members to de-escalate the crisis. Some lawmakers were initially unwilling to reinstate Obasa but later yielded to party directives after prolonged negotiations. According to reports, the majority of anti-Obasa lawmakers stood firm, believing they were being sidelined in the decision-making process. However, they eventually reconsidered after appeals from APC leaders and party elders like Tajudeen Olusi, the chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC). Security Tightened as Lawmakers Reconvened Amid rising tensions, security was heightened around the Lagos State House of Assembly complex. Journalists were barred from entry, and police barricades were set up on Mobolaji Johnson Avenue and the Assembly’s main entrance to prevent unauthorized access. Meranda’s Resignation: A Personal Sacrifice In her valedictory speech, Meranda stated that she stepped down to protect the democracy of the Assembly. She emphasized that her decision was a personal sacrifice for the greater good of Lagos State governance. “Our mandate is to protect the people of Lagos State. I have taken a bold step to step down to ensure peace and stability,” she said. Despite stepping down, Meranda remains committed to serving her Apapa Constituency 1 and the state at large. Obasa Sworn In Again as Speaker Following Meranda’s resignation, Obasa took the oath of office once again and pledged to work in harmony with his colleagues for the development of Lagos State. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the GAC, and APC chieftains for resolving the crisis. Mixed Reactions to Obasa’s Return While the APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi described Obasa’s reinstatement as a “victory for democracy”, some opposition groups criticized the development. The De Renaissance Patriots, a Lagos-based socio-political organization, termed it a “show of shame” and accused APC leaders of political manipulation. “This is a clear case of power play at the expense of democratic values,” the group said in a statement. What This Means for Lagos Politics The resolution of this crisis underscores the power dynamics within the Lagos State political structure. It also highlights the influence of APC’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms in maintaining party dominance in the state. De Renaissance Patriots Foundation Reacts According to the foundation, the Lagos Assembly has become an “amusement park” that will be remembered as a “monument of shame.” The statement further declared: “Waterloo awaits the occupants. History will repeat itself. What happened today is a reflection of what has been sown, and no matter how they manipulate events, the river must flow into the ocean.” The group also accused both the governor and lawmakers of failing to break free from political control, describing the reinstatement as a “missed opportunity.” CUPP Labels Lagos Drama a Political Distraction Meanwhile, the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) has dismissed the ongoing speakership crisis as a calculated distraction from governance failures. Speaking to Vanguard, CUPP’s National Secretary, Peter Ameh, argued that the controversy was a ploy to divert public attention. “The recent drama in the Lagos Assembly appears to be a deliberate attempt to shift focus from the government’s shortcomings,” Ameh stated. He questioned whether the actions of Obasa or Meranda could genuinely challenge President Bola Tinubu’s long-standing influence over Lagos politics, noting that Tinubu’s political dominance faced a rare disruption in 2023 when Peter Obi won Lagos State in the presidential election. Political Manipulation or Genuine Crisis? Ameh expressed skepticism over the police’s involvement in the Assembly crisis, suggesting that the situation might be “scripted to manipulate public perception.” “It is possible that this entire episode is orchestrated to deceive the public, drain opposition energy, and shift focus away from governance failures,” he added. Drawing parallels with past incidents, Ameh pointed to the sudden settlement of sacked Lagos Water Corporation staff as another possible diversionary tactic designed to mask the privatization of water services in the state. “The Lagos Assembly drama appears to be a carefully planned distraction, ensuring that the people remain engaged in political theatrics while more pressing governance issues go unnoticed.” Final Thoughts As the political turmoil in Lagos continues, critics argue that the unfolding drama must be closely scrutinized to prevent the people’s interests from being sacrificed for political maneuvering. With questions surrounding the credibility of the crisis, many are calling for transparency and accountability in the state’s governance. This structured approach ensures maximum visibility and engagement while maintaining a compelling narrative. For more insights into Lagos State governance and political affairs, visit Vanguard Nigeria and The Nation Online. 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Key APC Leaders Absent as Tinubu Calls for Unity ABUJA – The much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was held at the Buhari House APC National Secretariat in Abuja, marking the first NEC session since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023. The meeting was chaired by APC’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu. However, several top figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, were notably absent. Despite their absence, key political figures attended the gathering, such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu. Several state governors, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, were also in attendance. Tinubu’s Appeal and Economic Outlook Addressing the NEC, President Tinubu reassured members of his commitment to the party’s progressive vision. He acknowledged economic challenges but emphasized that efforts to stabilize food prices, especially during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, were yielding results. Tinubu also approved the establishment of reconciliation committees across states to address grievances among party members and announced plans to relocate the APC national secretariat due to space constraints. “We are strengthening national security and ensuring food security. I appreciate the electoral successes we have achieved and pledge to sustain these progressive changes,” Tinubu stated. He also mentioned that economic difficulties were not unique to Nigeria, citing similar challenges in European nations. APC’s Electoral Strategy and Reconciliation Efforts APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, received a vote of confidence from the NEC and highlighted the party’s strategic focus on upcoming elections in Anambra and Osun states. He confirmed that preparations for the APC primaries in Anambra, scheduled for April, were already underway. Ganduje emphasized the party’s ongoing reconciliation initiatives, which he said were beginning to yield positive results. “Through dialogue, we have engaged party leaders and stakeholders to resolve long-standing disputes. The soon-to-be-approved conflict reconciliation committee will build upon these efforts,” he added. Financial Burdens and Party Secretariat Expansion Plans During the session, Ganduje revealed that the APC had inherited legal debts totaling N8.98 billion from pre-election and election-related court cases. He urged the NEC to intervene in resolving financial constraints and disclosed that some party accounts had been restricted due to ongoing legal battles. On the party’s infrastructure, Ganduje mentioned that the current national secretariat was inadequate for APC’s growing needs. “To accommodate our expanding operations, we have formally requested land from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for a new national headquarters and the Progressives Institute,” he explained, appealing for President Tinubu’s support to expedite the process. Explaining the Absence of APC Leaders Felix Morka, APC’s spokesperson, addressed concerns about the absence of some NEC members, downplaying the issue by noting that full attendance was never guaranteed in such meetings. He emphasized that all NEC members had been invited, with an expanded guest list compared to previous meetings. “Meetings are scheduled based on the president’s availability, and invitations were sent to all NEC members. While attendance was not 100%, participation was substantial,” Morka stated. El-Rufai Criticized Over Remarks on APC Leadership Responding to recent comments from Nasir el-Rufai, Morka criticized the former governor for his public grievances regarding the party’s internal operations. He noted that all APC organs were fully functional and dismissed el-Rufai’s remarks as personal grievances rather than valid criticisms. “El-Rufai is a respected political figure, but his statements should reflect the dignity of his status. If he continues making public remarks, people have the right to respond accordingly,” Morka asserted. APC Official Website Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
