Politics
LAGOS ASSEMBLY CRISIS DEEPENS: OBASA, MERANDA LOCK HORNS IN POLITICAL SHOWDOWN
LAGOS ASSEMBLY CRISIS DEEPENS: OBASA, MERANDA LOCK HORNS IN POLITICAL SHOWDOWN
The leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly has reached a boiling point, with no resolution in sight as the 35 lawmakers who ousted Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker remain adamant that he will not be reinstated.
Despite Obasa’s dramatic return to the Assembly on Thursday—bolstered by restored security details and an impromptu plenary session with only four lawmakers—the embattled lawmaker’s claim to the speakership faces stiff resistance. His successor, Mojisola Meranda, remains firmly in control, backed by a significant majority of lawmakers who have vowed to uphold their decision.
Obasa’s Defiant Comeback Obasa’s return to the Assembly comes on the heels of intense political maneuvering within the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following a high-profile meeting that included former Osun and Ogun governors, Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, alongside Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other key party figures, a resolution was reportedly reached. The agreement suggested that Obasa should resign, while Meranda would step down to pave the way for another Speaker from Lagos West Senatorial District. However, that plan crumbled when Obasa stormed the Assembly complex with a full security escort, proclaiming his reinstatement.
“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly. I’ve never been removed,” Obasa defiantly told reporters. “Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but it must follow due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”
Tinubu’s Alleged Influence in the Power Struggle There are strong indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political machinery played a role in Obasa’s sudden resurgence. According to insider sources within Lagos APC, Obasa’s return was the result of a late-night meeting held at Lagos House, Marina, with top party leaders loyal to the President.
A source close to the negotiations disclosed, “Obasa’s return to the Assembly is a direct outcome of that meeting. The lawmakers rejected the panel’s recommendation that Meranda should step down. Even those from Lagos West, who were supposed to produce a new Speaker, refused the offer. Eventually, a reluctant compromise was reached to consider Honourable Setonji David, but the lawmakers were not enthusiastic about it. Seeing their hesitation, Obasa, with support from the Presidency, made his move.”
An APC stalwart further described Obasa’s reinstatement attempt as a “massive political statement,” warning that it could spell the end of the once-powerful Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
“The GAC’s influence is crumbling. They failed to resolve this crisis, and now the President had to step in through his own loyalists. This means Lagos politics is changing, and there will be casualties when this dust settles.”
Tensions Mount at the Assembly Complex The Assembly complex has turned into a fortress, with a heavy security presence maintaining order as the crisis intensifies. On Friday, armed operatives from the state police command, task force, and mobile police officers took control of the premises, restricting movement and barring entry to unauthorized individuals. Over 25 patrol vehicles lined the roads leading to the Assembly, while police officers stood guard at strategic locations.
Assembly workers described the eerie emptiness of the usually bustling complex, attributing it to the political uncertainty. “Normally, you would see people all over the place, but after what happened on Thursday, many are staying away,” a staff member revealed.
Courtroom Drama: Legal Battle Begins The battle has also shifted to the courts. A heated legal showdown unfolded on Friday at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, where Obasa filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of his removal. The suit, filed before Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, argues that the House’s proceedings during a recess were unlawful since Obasa neither reconvened the Assembly nor delegated his authority.
A dramatic twist occurred when two different lawyers claimed to represent the Assembly. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, appeared on record for the Assembly, but another lawyer, Abang Mkpandiok, challenged him, claiming he had been newly briefed by the House. The standoff led to a temporary suspension of proceedings as the court deferred ruling on the representation issue.
Meranda Fires Back: ‘A Show of Shame’ Reacting to Obasa’s attempted return, Speaker Mojisola Meranda dismissed his actions as a desperate bid for power.
“To me, what happened on Thursday was just a show of shame. In our job, we work with numbers that form a quorum. If you are sitting with only three or four members, you’re merely staging a drama,” she declared.
Despite the turbulence, Meranda remains confident in her position, asserting that the Assembly will reconvene soon—contrary to Obasa’s claim that the House is on recess. She also revealed that her full security detail had not been restored, saying, “I have my people and God with me. I am not afraid.”
Lawmakers Stand Their Ground A growing number of lawmakers continue to rally behind Meranda. Spokesperson for the Assembly, Ogundipe Olukayode, confirmed that 35 lawmakers, including Meranda, remain resolute in their decision.
“We are 35 strong as we speak, including Madam Speaker. The House will reconvene soon. We are consulting with our leaders, and the party is also working on the matter. But Lagosians should rest assured—we are committed to serving them.”
Lawmakers from different constituencies echoed this sentiment. Honourable David Setonji of Badagry Constituency II, through his media aide, reaffirmed their stance: “Meranda is the recognized Speaker. Obasa was rejected, and he is not coming back.”
Lagos APC Walks a Tightrope The Lagos APC leadership appears to be walking a fine line, calling for peace while struggling to maintain neutrality. APC state spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, described the crisis as a “quarrel between siblings,” assuring that the party is working towards reconciliation while respecting the legislature’s independence.
However, growing allegations of presidential involvement raise questions about the true dynamics at play. A senior legal practitioner pointed out that recent security shifts—including changes in the DSS leadership and the police commissioner—hint at federal influence in the crisis. “Obasa’s confidence in challenging 35 lawmakers suggests that Abuja is pulling strings,” he alleged.
What’s Next? With no clear resolution in sight, the Lagos Assembly crisis has morphed into a high-stakes political battle that could redefine power dynamics in the state. The coming days will determine whether Obasa’s defiance will prevail or if Meranda’s majority-backed leadership will stand firm against the political storm.
One thing is certain—Lagos politics has entered uncharted waters, and the outcome of this crisis will shape its future for years to come.
Politics
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Why Nigeria Is Failing: The Absence of a True Activist President
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has struggled to fulfill the promises of democracy, good governance, and national development. Despite its wealth of human and natural resources, the country remains shackled by poverty, corruption, insecurity, and inequality. One central reason for this tragic underperformance is that Nigeria has never had a genuine natural activist as president—someone who embodies courage, truth, people-centeredness, and the dogged pursuit of justice.
An activist president is not just a politician with populist rhetoric or a reformist with half-hearted policies. A true activist president is a leader whose political journey is rooted in service, whose conscience is unshaken by power, and whose commitment to the people’s welfare overrides personal ambition. Nigeria, unfortunately, has lacked such a figure at the helm.
The Political Class: Custodians of Self-interest
Most of Nigeria’s post-independence leaders emerged from military backgrounds or elite political families, often disconnected from the struggles of everyday Nigerians. Their primary loyalty lies not with the people but with entrenched interests—godfathers, ethnic power blocs, and foreign partners. As a result, Nigeria has been governed by men who lacked the moral fire and activist instinct necessary to radically confront injustice and reform oppressive structures.
Former president Muhammadu Buhari, for example, came to power in 2015 on a wave of anti-corruption promises, yet presided over one of the most nepotistic, economically disastrous, and divisive administrations in Nigerian history. Under his watch, Nigeria became the poverty capital of the world, inflation soared, and the naira collapsed. Yet, there was no sense of urgency or moral outrage from the presidency. That is not the mark of a natural activist—it is the signature of a career politician insulated from the people’s pain.
What Activist Leadership Looks Like
To understand what Nigeria has missed, we must look at examples of real activism. Take Gani Fawehinmi, the late human rights lawyer and one of Nigeria’s most respected moral voices. Gani stood firmly against military dictatorship, corruption, and human rights abuses. He spent time in jail, faced harassment, and lost personal comforts—all for the cause of justice.
In one of his famous quotes, he said:
“The legal profession is not for those who want to make money; it is for those who want to make a difference.”
Now imagine a Gani Fawehinmi-style figure as president. Would he tolerate the mass looting of public funds? Would he watch silently as universities are shut down, as youths migrate en masse, or as politicians manipulate the constitution for selfish gain? No. His presidency would be a fight for dignity, justice, and the poor.
Another case is Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Afrobeat legend whose music was a fearless protest against oppression. Though never a politician, Fela had more influence than many presidents. He once said:
“My people are scared of the air around them, they always have an excuse not to fight for freedom.”
Fela’s message still resonates because Nigeria’s leaders govern with fear, not freedom. Fela might not have been president, but his activist mindset is what Nigeria sorely lacks in its highest office.
Activism Today: The Uncelebrated Warriors
Modern-day activists like Aisha Yesufu, a co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, have continued this tradition. Her iconic image standing in defiance during the #EndSARS protests became a symbol of resistance.
She once remarked:
“We can no longer outsource governance. We must take responsibility. If Nigeria is bad, it is because of Nigerians who allowed it.”
Likewise, Omoyele Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters and convener of #RevolutionNow, has faced arrest, intimidation, and ridicule for daring to speak truth to power. Though often dismissed by the political elite, his activism exposes the structural rot that elections alone cannot fix.
Sowore once said:
“Real change does not come from people in power; it comes from people who challenge power.”
The Consequences of Activist Absence
The absence of a truly activist-minded president has created a dangerous vacuum—where leadership is reduced to ceremony, governance to contracts, and power to propaganda. Nigeria’s rulers manage crises; they don’t solve them. They placate foreign donors while ignoring the dying masses at home.
Under this docile leadership, corruption has become institutionalized. Security has deteriorated to the point where terrorists and bandits operate with impunity. The youth, the very future of the country, are fleeing in droves. According to the African Polling Institute, over 70% of Nigerian youths expressed a desire to leave the country permanently. This “Japa” syndrome is not just economic—it is psychological. It reflects a deep loss of faith in the leadership.
Why PDP’s Structure Offers Hope
While no political party is perfect, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) remains the most institutionally democratic structure in Nigeria’s political space. It has internal mechanisms for accountability, broader national appeal, and a history of relatively better economic performance during its years in power.
A committed activist emerging from or supported by such a structure would have a better chance of resisting autocratic tendencies, building coalitions across regions, and enacting pro-people policies. However, such a person must not be swallowed by party interests—they must reform the system from within, not become part of the rot.
What Nigeria Needs Now
Nigeria doesn’t need another technocrat who quotes GDP figures or an ex-general who can’t inspire trust. It doesn’t need recycled political heavyweights with no ideological clarity. What Nigeria desperately needs is an activist president—someone with the fire of Gani, the boldness of Fela, the resilience of Aisha, and the courage of Sowore.
This leader must emerge from the people, not be manufactured by elite consensus. They must be driven not by the perks of office, but by the pain of the people. They must be ready to lose power if it means saving the nation.
Until Nigeria experiences such leadership, the cycle of despair will continue. Elections will come and go, but nothing will change. The problems are too deep for cosmetic solutions. We need a president who is not afraid to call Nigeria’s problems by their real names and confront them head-on.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Nigeria’s leadership has been silent for too long. It is time for a voice—a bold, activist voice—to speak and lead us out of the darkness.
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