The Lagos State House of Assembly has been embroiled in the most embarrassing turmoil ever witnessed within the political landscape of the state. Weeks ago, Lagosians, and indeed the entire country had woken up to the shocking news that the former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, had been removed from office and replaced by his deputy, Princess Mojisola Meranda.
At the time the impeachment took place, Obasa was away on a trip to the United States. It was reported that when he returned to the country, he headed straight to Aso rock to meet with the President to seek his intervention. It remains unclear if indeed that meeting ever held and what Mr. President's position on the matter was. But the myriad of events that unfolded since then have suggested that the former Speaker probably has the backing of some members of the Governance Advisory Council, the apex decision making body of the APC in Lagos state.
Last week, not satisfied with taking the matter to court, Obasa invaded the Assembly and broke into the Speaker's office before proceeding to hold a four-man plenary in the chamber in utter darkness as there was power outage at the time.
The following morning, all 36 Lawmakers, including the very calm and composed Madam Speaker Mojisola Meranda, stormed the Ikeja High court in defence of the case filed against them by the embattled former Obasa. All 35 Lawmakers, at the end of the court proceedings, which was adjourned to March 7, still insisted very clearly and unequivocally that it is Madam Speaker they want as their leader and Speaker and not the impeached Obasa.
A top official of the Assembly who, along with a few others, accompanied the Lawmakers to the court in solidarity, explained why the 35 Lawmakers have stood solidly behind their chosen and constitutionally elected leader, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda.
"Madam Speaker is loved by all," he stated. "She is a very quiet, reserved but extremely knowledgeable woman. She understands the dynamics of a legislative house the size of the Lagos Assembly and she is highly respected in the house as well."
"Madam is also one of the most experienced female lawmakers in the house. She has always been known to be a team person and shows total respect to all her colleagues, even the ones she is older than both in age and in terms of seniority in the house. Everyone talks about Madam's humility and her unassuming nature. That's why some people call her 'Iya Jeje,' meaning a peace loving woman. But most importantly, her colleagues believe strongly that her leadership will transform the house and return the the confidence Lagosians had lost in the Lagos Assembly. She's a very competent Legislator who believes in fairness and equity, she will treat her colleagues as equals and not make herself a god over them like the former Speaker," he concluded.
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