- Dark side of feud between Sanwo-Olu, Obasa revealed
- Meet Mojisola Meranda, 1st female Speaker of Lagos Assembly
- Foot soldiers mobilise support for Seyi Tinubu
As governorship aspirants and camps are gearing up for a supremacy battle that will determine the outcome of the forthcoming party congress and local council elections in Lagos State, 32 members of the Lagos Assembly on Monday impeached the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, accusing him of multiple statutory and financial infractions.
The Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, was also suspended indefinitely, while the Chief Whip, Mojeed Fatai, was elected as the new Deputy Speaker.
Obasa has been engulfed in a series of controversies in the handling of the House and its finances.
He was also accused of being contemptuous of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The move to remove Obasa has been ongoing for months following his battle of supremacy with Governor Sanwo-Olu.
The embattled speaker, who was said to be away in Atlanta, USA at the time of his impeachment, was subsequently replaced by his deputy, Lasbat Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1. She was also a former chief whip of the House.
Obasa, 52, first emerged Speaker on June 8, 2015. He was serving his third term in office before he was removed unceremoniously.
The removal came days after it was reported how Obasa allegedly administered the withdrawal of N43.5 billion for back up vehicles for lawmakers, as well as other controversial activities.
Decision unanimous, all principal positions, standing committees dissolved
Speaking to journalists after Obasa’s impeachment on Monday, a member of the house representing Epe constituency 1, Abiodun Tobun, said the decision was unanimous.
The legislator also confirmed that all principal positions and standing committees in the assembly have been dissolved
“It is just a change of baton. It is only death that is constant. Change is inevitable.
“The members of the parliament, today, have decided to change the leadership of the house. And the constitution makes it clear that the house has the power to regulate its proceedings.
“So, members of the house felt we have had enough of Rt. Honourable Mudashiru Obasa; and today, we have unanimously agreed that Rt. Honourable Mojisola Meranda becomes the speaker.
“It was a resolution concurred to by all members of the parliament and so be it. Honourable Fatai Adebola is deputy speaker of the house of assembly.
“And as we speak, all the principal positions have been dissolved. All standing committees are dissolved,” Tobun said.
Meet Mojisola Meranda, 1st female speaker of Lagos Assembly
Born on August 16, 1980, Mojisola Meranda hails from the prominent Akapo family in Lagos.
The 44-year-old legislator is a descendant of royal lineage. Her late father, Chief Taoreed Lawal-Akapo, served as the Ojora of Lagos between 1977 and 1993. Her mother, Princess M.A Lawal Akapo, belongs to the Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families.
Meranda began her education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary School and later moved to Randle Primary School in Surulere (1986–1992). She attended Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School (1992–1996) and completed her secondary education at Ansar-ud-Deen Secondary School (1996–1998). In 2013, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University.
Meranda’s roots are deeply tied to Lagos’ royal history. Her brother, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, is the Oniru of Iru Land.
She is one of the four women serving in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Meranda was first elected to the Assembly in 2015 after holding various roles at the Apapa local government. She was subsequently re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
Her political interest was shaped by her upbringing in a politically active family and her experience working as a personal assistant to Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, a senior special assistant on technology and special projects to Bola Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State governor.
Dark side of feud between Sanwo-Olu, ex-speaker revealed
THE POINT gathered that the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has been facing internal rumblings after Obasa made some controversial comments on who succeeds Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.
This year’s congress and elections into the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas have pitted various tendencies and cleavages against themselves.
The signals of bitter rivalry among governorship aspirants have been unsettling the party leaders and impacting governance.
The rivalry has been particularly fierce between the Deputy Governor, Kadiri Hamzat and Obasa. But the recent political manoeuvres by President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, had changed the political calculation and added a new dimension to the contest.
Although none of the aspirants had officially declared their intention to run, subtle politicking, behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, strategic alliances, and covert campaigns were already reshaping the political landscape.
While Governor Sanwo-Olu is constitutional barred from re-contesting, having won election twice to the plum office, it was gathered that some of his aides had pitched their tents in support of the ambition of the deputy governor for continuity and his unflinching loyalty to their boss, a situation that has caused political friction between them and Obasa’s supporters.
Party sources said there is no love lost between Sanwo-Olu and Obasa over who will emerge as the next governor of the state.
Party elders recalled the drama that played out during the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill on November 21, 2024, by the governor to the state lawmakers.
When the governor and his entourage arrived at the chamber, many had expected the Speaker to announce his presence and accord him the respect his office deserves, but that was not to be. Instead, the Speaker ignored his presence, and ordered the session to continue the discussions on how the “Celebration of 2024 Men’s Day” went in the state.
Few minutes later, the governor presented the budget proposal in an atmosphere that was far from welcoming.
According to our sources, Obasa, who controls APC in Agege, has not been hiding his ambition to succeed Sanwo-Olu in office and is ready to tackle those who believe he is not qualified to govern the state.
“I am Obasa, and qualified to run for Lagos governor.
“I have made it a personal task to mobilise people on the platform of Mandate, which some political detractors misconstrue as a selfish aspiration to become governor. Let me state unequivocally, my focus is on strengthening our party, the APC. Becoming governor is secondary,” he said.
Obasa also dismissed suggestions that he lacked what it takes to govern, stating that, “Those who came before me are not better off. I am neither too young nor inexperienced to lead this state.”
The former speaker added, “In addition, it is also important to correct the impression from some naysayers who have been insinuating that I made payment to seek blood relations in Ojo to validate my candidacy to run as governor. Of course, I have never denied the fact that I am Obasa. But rather, I have never claimed to be related to Onikoyi, Oniru, or any of the other popular Lagos families as the case may be. I can indeed never run from the fact that I am related to my Obasa family in Ojo. But I do not need local validity to contest or run. If eventually I am contesting, I will do so from Agege.”
To calm frayed nerves over Obasa’s outburst, the Lagos APC said there was no cause for alarm regarding the comments made by the former speaker or over his right to contest.
The party noted that it had not taken a position on the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship poll but was still focusing on governance in the state and the coming local government elections.
The APC spokesperson in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, who said this, however, noted that the Speaker was correct to say he was “eminently qualified” to run for the governorship election and “he has the capability and the experience to run for the office, there is no doubt about that.”
He said the party acknowledged Obasa’s right to contest just as any person in the party might also wish to do.
“But what transpired that day, for us, I don’t think it has amounted to a clear declaration of wish to run for the office.
“But be that as it may, we need to acknowledge his right to do that and no one should be surprised that there could be a number of other people who would show interest, but at the appropriate time, the party, its leadership and membership would address that. So that would not heat up the polity in the party.”
However, one of the members of the Governance Advisory Council, who pleaded for anonymity, said, “Obasa should tread carefully; there was no need for the drama, which he displayed during the budget presentation.”
According to him, “Sanwo-Olu has no dog in this fight. Why treat him and members of his cabinet like that? Is Sanwo-Olu running for a third term?”
It was also gathered that the chairman of GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, who was unhappy with the way the governor was shabbily treated by Obasa reported the incident to President Bola Tinubu, during his Christmas holiday in Lagos and expressed concerns that the matter may get out of hand, if not properly curtailed before the party’s congress and local council elections holding in the state.
Inside party sources disclosed that the President cautioned Obasa to tread softly as 2027 is too far. The President was also said to have expressed surprise at the Bill before the State Assembly that will enable lawmakers to sack the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission and asked Obasa, “Which governor will sign such a bill into law, anyway?”
Foot soldiers mobilise support for Seyi Tinubu
But a new twist to the race for the flag bearer of the party is the alleged entrance of Seyi Tinubu, to slug it out with other governorship aspirants. It was gathered that his foot soldiers are already in town mobilising support for his ambition.
A party source also confirmed that the President’s son has told some party leaders of his ambition to give the governorship seat a shot.
When asked about the possibility of his ambition when his father may still re-contest for the presidency in 2027, the source said, “If you know how President Tinubu thinks, you won’t doubt it. He will allow the boy to make the noise and express himself. Maybe he will get a deputy governorship slot or another elective office. And if the party stakeholders choose him and get people’s votes, what’s wrong in that? George Bush (snr) was a President of America when his two sons were governors of different states at the same time.”
A United State-based organisation, The Future Platform USA, has officially endorsed Seyi Tinubu.
The organization, in a letter expressed strong support for Seyi Tinubu, emphasising his exemplary track record in leadership.
It said Tinubu is a highly qualified and competent candidate for the position of Governor of Lagos State in the 2027 elections.
In an endorsement letter signed by the group’s President, Austin Dafe, and Secretary, Ernest Ahamioje, both based in the United States, the organisation highlighted its mission to support emerging leaders in Africa.
The endorsement reads in part: “We enthusiastically endorse Seyi Tinubu as a highly qualified and competent individual for the role of Governor of Lagos State in 2027. His dedication to service, exceptional work ethic, and consistent delivery of quality results are well-documented.”
The letter further praised Seyi Tinubu’s efforts to follow in his father’s footsteps, citing his vast experience in leadership, business, and politics.
A trained lawyer with degrees in Law and Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Buckingham, Seyi Tinubu serves as CEO of Loatsad Promomedia Ltd and holds key positions in various organisations.
His leadership in the merger with Promomedia in 2016 and the subsequent acquisition of E-motion Advertising Ltd were noted as significant achievements in the Out of Home Advertising sector.
The group also highlighted Tinubu’s humanitarian efforts, such as his rapid disaster response in Borno State and ongoing food interventions in Lagos communities.
His ability to bridge tribal divides and his commitments to uplifting the less privileged were also commended.
Seyi Tinubu’s role in his father’s successful 2023 presidential campaign was acknowledged, emphasising his political acumen and dedication to national development.
The endorsement concluded with a formal declaration of Seyi Tinubu’s candidacy for Governor of Lagos State in 2027, with plans for a declaration event in the U.S. and a grand finale in Nigeria, with dates to be announced later.
Seyi’s endorsement began in Owerri, Imo State when the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, a body comprising youth groups from across the six geopolitical zones, endorsed him for Lagos governor.
CONYL’s leadership, including its President General, Goodluck Ibem and Secretary, Junard Abubakar, attributed their decision to Seyi’s perceived leadership qualities to the legacy of his father’s transformational governance in Lagos.
This sparked a cascade of similar endorsements, as the Lagos branch of the Middle Belt Youths has joined the call.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, Stanley Augustine Kavwam, and the group’s National Youth Leader, Captain Brent Kane, urged Seyi to step up in 2027, describing him as the leader Lagos needs.
Similarly, the Friends of Seyi Tinubu President, Adejorin Tai Manuel, cited Seyi’s philanthropic efforts and leadership skills as proof of his readiness to govern the state.
