- IPAC hails new Speaker, urges inclusive governance
The newly elected Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, visited members of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Tuesday to brief them on recent developments and seek their blessings, which she confirmed were granted.
Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, assumed office on Monday following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa.
His decade-long tenure as Speaker ended when over two-thirds of the 40-member Assembly voted for his removal due to alleged misconduct.
Previously serving as Obasa’s deputy, Meranda’s election marks a historic moment as she becomes the first female Speaker in Lagos State’s legislative history.
Meeting with the GAC at Lagos House in Marina, Meranda was joined by other Assembly members to reinforce ties with the All Progressives Congress leadership.
Abiodun Tobun, a lawmaker representing Epe Constituency I, described Obasa’s impeachment as a unanimous decision to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the House.
“The Constitution empowers the House to regulate its proceedings. Members agreed unanimously that Mojisola Meranda should lead, ensuring the integrity of the parliament is restored,” Tobun explained.
Obasa, who has represented Agege Constituency I since 2007, saw his term end in January 2025 amidst calls for accountability and transparency within the legislative body.
IPAC hails new Speaker, urges inclusive governance
Also, the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Lagos State has described the emergence of Mrs. Mojisola Meranda as the first Female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, as a welcome development.
The State IPAC Chairperson, Mrs. Temilola Akinade, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos, however, urged Meranda to avoid things that led to the removal of the immediate past Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa.
Congratulating Meranda, Akinade said, “Women are coming up gradually, especially in the corridors of power. We welcome this at the level of IPAC in Lagos State.”
The IPAC boss urged the new Speaker to carry all the other 39 lawmakers along in all dealings and activities.
She added, “Our advice to the new Speaker is to critically look at what made his predecessor fall. She must avoid all the things that brought Obasa down.
“She must carry all the members of the House along- doing things alone will not be good for her at all.
“Bringing everybody together will help her to be successful in her tenure. Meranda should also know that all power belongs to God, and avoid intoxication.”
Akinade called on the new Speaker to strengthen the relationship between IPAC and the House.
“I expect her to recognise other political parties and have a cordial relationship with IPAC,” she added.
