In a dramatic turn of events, the Lagos State House of Assembly witnessed a power shift on Monday as members voted to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
The move, shrouded in allegations of corruption and misconduct, saw the emergence of Mojisola Meranda as the new leader of the House.
The impeachment proceedings were not without controversy.
Reports indicate a heavy security presence, with personnel from the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos Task Force, and the Police securing the assembly complex.
Some individuals, believed to be Obasa supporters, were reportedly apprehended while attempting to enter the premises. Charms and amulets, allegedly used for protection, were also recovered from them.
Following the impeachment, the House, with 32 members in attendance, elected Meranda, the representative for Apapa Constituency 1, as the new Speaker.
Taking the oath of office, Meranda pledged to uphold the constitution and discharge her duties with honesty and integrity.
“I affirm that I will be faithful as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; That I will perform my functions honestly to the best of my ability, faithfully, and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Meranda declared.
The ousted speaker, Obasa, faced accusations of abuse of office and financial mismanagement.
New Speaker, Seasoned Politician
Mojisola Meranda’s rise to the speakership marks a new chapter for the Lagos Assembly.
A seasoned politician with a background in public administration, Meranda boasts a robust educational background. Her qualifications include a B.Sc. in Public Administration from Lagos State University and an ongoing Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Public Sector Management from the University of York, UK.
Meranda’s political journey began with the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), which later transformed into the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and ultimately, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In 2015, she successfully contested and secured a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly, where she has held various leadership positions, including Chair of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) and Chief Whip.
