RT. Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has resigned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly seven weeks after she was elected as the first female occupant of the office.
The lawmaker, who represents Apapa Constituency I, announced her resignation on Monday as lawmakers re-elected her as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers commended her leadership style and for bringing peace to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
They also commended her strength and humility for obeying the rules and regulations of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meranda’s resignation followed a reported meeting with some high-ranking members of the APC in the state to navigate the leadership crisis that has rocked the hallowed chambers.
Meranda cited the need to preserve the integrity of the legislative institution as the basis for her resignation.
In her resignation speech on Monday, Meranda stated that her decision was made in the interest of democracy and to prevent further crises within the Assembly.
She emphasized that leadership requires selfless sacrifice and that stepping down is necessary to maintain stability.
Meranda, who assumed the position of Speaker on 13 January 2025, explained that her short tenure had been marked by leadership disputes threatening the unity of the House.
She reaffirmed her commitment to serving the people of Apapa Constituency 1 and Lagos State at large, assuring them that her resignation does not mean an end to her dedication to public service.
According to her, protecting the legislative institution was more important than holding onto power.
FULL SPEECH
I wish to let every one of you know that I have made a personal sacrifice towards resolving the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.
I recognise the role my family has played and continues to play in entrenching democracy, good governance, and the betterment of our people. I will never depart from the well-established path of honour, dignity, integrity, and service as personified by my late father.
Please, permit me, dear colleagues, to restate my position as expressed in the newspaper publication, where I stated as follows: It is with heavy responsibility that I wish to resign my position as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly with effect from this day, 3 March 2025. I took this decision carefully and with firm consideration. On one hand, I accepted the position of Speaker on 13 January 2025, and on the other hand, I resigned from the position as it is threatening the democracy of this House.
As good people of Lagos, our mandate is to protect the good people of Lagos State and ensure good governance.
I feel that I have demonstrated leadership and selfless sacrifice by resigning in order to protect these resources that we have suffered to build. With your unwavering support, I take this step to step down as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
I cherish the solidarity that I have enjoyed and that has been given to me by my honourable members. I do not leave out the management and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly. I want to thank you for your support and collaboration.
As short as it is, this is a memorable event. I need you to permit me to resign as the Rt. Honourable Speaker, and I shall continue to serve my good people of Apapa Constituency 1 in particular and the entire Lagos State in general.
Thank you for finding me worthy to lead this distinguished and honourable Assembly. I am not a quitter; however, I took this bold decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment.
Accordingly, I have agreed to yet again make a personal sacrifice by stepping down as the Speaker of this great Assembly.
Dear distinguished and gallant honourable members of this 10th Assembly, occasionally, we are confronted by overwhelming challenges and conflicts, but as responsible leaders, we must not break down the legislative House that we collectively built in pursuit of justice and fairness.
For those who have been unfairly referred to for standing on the side of fair play, kindly take note that there will always be an opportunity to right any wrong.
I appreciate the spectrum of solidarity that I received through phone calls, messages, and visits throughout my short tenure.
I sincerely thank you for your understanding and support, just as we know that party decisions are supreme.
At this point, I take a bow as your Speaker, and I step down as your Speaker for this great House.
God bless you.”
The leadership crisis in the Assembly became full-blown on 13 January 2025, when Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who represents Agege Constituency I, was removed by more than two-thirds of the 40-member House who voted him out over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
Obasa’s then deputy, Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.
However, on 25 January 2025, Obasa vehemently rejected his removal and insisted that he remained the Speaker until the right thing had been done. He faulted the militarisation of the Assembly complex during the impeachment process. He also claimed his removal as Speaker took place in his absence — when he was out of Nigeria.
However, 36 lawmakers loyal to Meranda insisted that Obasa’s removal was final and that Meranda remained the Speaker of the House.
On 17 February 2025, tempers flared at the Assembly Complex when security agents and some legislative workers clashed over the presence of the former in the hallowed chambers. Thereafter, thirty-six of the lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in an emotional Meranda and adjourned sitting indefinitely.
On 27 February 2025, Obasa showed up at the Assembly Complex and was chaperoned by a retinue of armed, stern-looking uniformed security operatives as he walked into the hallowed chambers. Last Thursday’s appearance was Obasa’s first in the Assembly since his removal as Lagos Speaker on Monday, 13 January 2025.
Obasa insisted that he remained the Speaker of the House despite protests by his colleagues who rejected his leadership and pledged loyalty to Meranda.
Eighteen-Eleven Media